HS 326 study plan

Distinguish experimental from observational designs and match each to the question it can answer

Draft a one-page comparison table of RCT, cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and diagnostic accuracy designs, listing bias each is prone to

Write a falsifiable primary question with PICO elements for a topic you choose and identify the unit of randomization or sampling

Explain how allocation concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat handling differ and why each matters

Compute and interpret sample size drivers (effect size, variance, alpha, power) for a two-arm comparison

Differentiate probability from non-probability sampling and select an appropriate method for a stated population

Identify sources of measurement error, misclassification, and missing data in a described study

Sketch a data collection and analysis plan that names the primary outcome and its analysis method

Select and justify the correct test for comparing means, proportions, or paired data in five short scenarios

Interpret p-values, confidence intervals, and effect sizes together without conflating statistical and clinical significance

Calculate and explain sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios from a 2x2 table

Distinguish superiority, non-inferiority, and equivalence framing and state what each implies for interpretation

Apply a structured critical appraisal checklist to a randomized trial and a cohort study

Judge risk of bias across selection, performance, detection, attrition, and reporting domains

Assess whether reported results support the authors' conclusions and flag overreach

Identify spin, selective outcome reporting, and mismatches between registered and published outcomes

Compute and interpret incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratio, attributable risk, and number needed to treat

Explain confounding, effect modification, and the three main bias families in epidemiologic studies

Evaluate screening program claims using lead-time, length-time, and overdiagnosis bias

Read a systematic review and assess heterogeneity, publication bias, and certainty of evidence

Build a PICO question from a real clinical uncertainty and run a structured search with explicit limits

Rank available evidence by design hierarchy and explain when lower-level evidence may suffice

Apply absolute risk reduction and baseline risk to decide whether a therapy is worth using in a specific patient

Integrate patient values and preferences into a recommendation and state the decision rationale

Map a study scenario to informed consent, IRB review, and privacy requirements and identify the compliance failure

Distinguish fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism and describe handling of authorship and conflict-of-interest issues

Draft a plain-language summary of an evidence finding for a non-specialist audience without distorting magnitude

Structure a short interprofessional recommendation that states strength, uncertainty, and next steps

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and log every error by domain

Re-derive the 15 formulas you missed most often from memory and check against notes

Re-appraise your three weakest items from weeks 1-7 and rewrite the correct reasoning

Build a one-page formula and appraisal-checklist sheet you can review in the final days