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NIH Online Clinical Research Courses are Now Open

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Want to gain knowledge in clinical research and pharmacology? Start learning now through the FREE self-paced courses offered by the NIH Office of Clinical Research .

Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research

This course trains participants on how to effectively and safely conduct clinical research.Topics covered in the course include: study design, measurement, statistics, ethical, legal, monitoring, and regulatory considerations, preparing and implementing clinical studies, additional study designs and more. Both the course and registration for the 2018-2019 course year are now open through June 30, 2019. Please visit the IPPCR website . (Note that this course is not intended to be a replacement for required training in the protection of human subjects.)

Principles of Clinical Pharmacology

This course covers the fundamentals of clinical pharmacology as a translational scientific discipline. The course consists of approximately 50 lectures by thought-leaders from around the world. Topics covered in the course include: pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and transport, drug therapy in special populations, assessment of drug effects, drug discovery and development, pharmacogenomics and pharmacotherapy. Registration for the 2018-2019 course year is now open through June 30, 2019. Please visit the PCP website .

RELATED NEWS

I need an NIH certificate for extra mural research

It is not entirely clear what you are looking for. If it is a course certificate for Protecting Human Research participants course, unfortunately, NIH no longer offers its Protecting Human Research Participants course and we do not plan not plan to provide an alternative course (see announcement https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-18-221.html ).

Institutions seeking to fulfill the requirement ( https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html ) for education in the protection of human research will need to use another training program or develop a program to meet the requirement. NIH does not specify or endorse any specific educational programs.

For the course “Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research”, it says above that “Both the course and registration for the 2018-2019 course year are now open through June 30, 2019.”, but when I got to the IPPCR website, it says that the registration is closed. Appreciate your response.

The NIH Office of Clinical Research is making some improvements to their technical system to prepare for the upcoming course year, and with the course registration closing in under 2 weeks, they decided to close it a little early to allow for these changes. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact [email protected] .

I would like to inquire courses offered in clinical research

Visit the NIH Office of Clinical Research website for more information on clinical research courses: https://ocr.od.nih.gov/clinical_research_training.html

I WANT TO APPLY FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH CERTIFICATE COURCE FREE ONLINE

I want to learn clinal research

I would like to enroll for clinical course this year,Is it open to register now.

hi would like to enroll for this course

Will I be provided a certificate after completing the course? Is it free or paid?

Hi, I would like to enroll in a clinical trial course

Hi! When I try to access the page, it says “Access Denied”. I already completed all the sign-up requirements.

Hi, please contact [email protected] for help with this issue.

same problem

Will I be able to apply for jobs with this free “Clinical Research” course certificate?

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Foundations of Clinical Research

This Harvard Medical School six-month, application-based certificate program provides the essential skill sets and fundamental knowledge required to begin or expand your clinical research career.

Associated Schools

Harvard Medical School

What you'll learn.

Understand and apply the foundational concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology

Develop a research question and formulate a testable hypothesis

Design and begin to implement a clinical research study

Cultivate the skills required to present a clinical research study

Critically evaluate the research findings in medical literature

Synthesize crucial statistical analyses using Stata software

Course description

The Foundations of Clinical Research program is rooted in the belief that clinical research training is critical to professional development in health care. Clinical research training not only creates potential independent investigators, but also enables clinicians to advance their careers through a greater understanding of research evidence. Designed to provide learners with the foundational knowledge and skill sets required to produce high-quality clinical research, our program will lay the fundamental groundwork in epidemiology and biostatistics required for a multifaceted career in clinical research.

The overarching goal of the Foundations of Clinical Research program is to equip the next generation of researchers with the skill sets essential to evaluating evidence, understanding biostatistics, and beginning their clinical research careers. Our aim is to ensure that learners develop a strong foundation in the design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of clinical research studies.

During the program, our innovative active learning approach emphasizes the traditional tutorial system with weekly live video tutorials, seminars and symposia anchored by 3 live intense weekend online workshops.  The Foundations of Clinical Research program’s six-month online curriculum emphasizes real-time skill-based learning. 

Participants will be eligible for Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the program. Early tuition and need-based tuition reductions may be available.

Course Outline

Live Workshops

The interactive workshop curriculum will focus on hands-on skill development through active learning. To that end, the intensive schedule is designed to accelerate the growth of high-yield clinical research skills via individual and team-based workshop exercises. Students will be immersed in a dynamic learning environment that encourages collaboration and collegial networking with faculty and peers. 

Essential elements of the workshop include instruction and practical exercises in the core concepts of biostatistics, epidemiology and research question development, as well as critical assessment of the medical literature and practical training in statistical software using real-life datasets. In addition to providing training in mentorship, academic career development and leadership, we create a supportive and active learning environment where opportunities for knowledge retention and networking abound.

Live Symposia, Tutorials and Seminars

Symposia, tutorials and seminars are mandatory and will be delivered live online and organized according to eight specific clinical research topics. 

Eight 3-Hour Symposia

• Instruction on a specific clinical research topic (e.g., cohort study design and interpretation)
• In-depth discussion on a related epidemiology concept (e.g., odds ratio)
• Hands-on guidance for implementing the related analysis with statistical programming in Stata

Eight 1-Hour Tutorials

• Interpret and report on papers related to the specific clinical research topic

Eight 1-Hour Special-Topic Seminars

• The biostatistical and epidemiological concepts to specific clinical research topics with concrete examples

Assignments

All students will be expected to complete all assignments by the due dates. Assignments will be graded as either “pass” or “fail.”

Individual Assignment 1

Individual Research Question and Study Design

• Generate a novel research question in the evidence-based PICO format
• Receive expert faculty review

Individual Assignment 2

Design, Implement and Present an Original Abstract

• Design and implement a clinical research study based on a publicly available dataset
• Analyze and create data visualizations via a user-friendly R Shiny web app
• Write a formal 350-word abstract suitable for submission to an international conference
• Present a digital poster to faculty at Workshop 3

Online Lectures

Research Study Introduction 

• Designing a Clinical Research Study I–III
• Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• Study Design 1 – Observational
• Study Design 2 – Randomized Controlled Trials
• Study Design 3 – Quasi-Experimental Studies
• Introduction to Biostatistics
• An Investigator’s Responsibility for Protection of Research Subjects
• How to Search PubMed
• Overview of Evidence-Based Medicine

Statistical Programming in Stata

• Loading Data
• Basic Programming Commands
• Data Cleansing
• Data Analytics I – Central Tendency
• Data Analytics II – Statistical Testing
• Data Analytics III – Regression Testing

Instructors

Jamie Robertson

Djøra Soeteman

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• Online Courses

SOCRA has implemented an online component to the already robust array of educational opportunities. These online courses offer affordable, convenient access to quality education.

SOCRA's online courses are intended to provide access to training and continuing education that will promote quality clinical research, protect the welfare of research participants and improve global health.

Katrina A. Croghan, MS, CCRP

Anatoly Gorkun, MD, PhD, Chartered MCIPD and Hugh Devine, IMIS

Managing Data Management: Lessons from a Large CMS Demonstration Project

Erin O'Kelly Phillips, MPH, CCRP

Annette Oeser, BS, MLAS, CCRP

Training Game Plan: Ensuring Successful Project Team Member Transitions Through Training

Carolyn Rugloski, MSc, CCRP

Amber Ashley Parker, BA, CCRP

Rachel Kingsford, MS, CCRP

Resiliency in the Workplace

Barbara van der Schalie, MS

Prevention = Safety: No Tears Approach to Research Compliance

Angie Price, MSN, CCRC

Laura Holtz, MS, CCRP

Patricia Beers Block, MDEd, BS, BS, CCRP

Amy Jo Jenkins, MS, CCRP

SOCRA Recertification Module 

JoAnn Mick, PhD, RN, NEA-BC

Mtonya Hunter, MBA, CCRP

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Introduction to Clinical Trials

This training program provides the foundational knowledge upon which one can develop their competence as a clinical research professional..

This 2-hour online course details how medical products are developed, how volunteer patients are protected, and who plays key roles in the development, research, review, and approval of medical products.

In addition to supporting clinical research professionals and organizations, this program is an ideal tool for organizations seeking to help educate the public about clinical research and to raise awareness of clinical trials and the clinical research profession.

Introduction to Clinical Trials is an ideal program for all novice clinical researchers, those interested in the profession, or those indirectly involved in clinical trials.

Upon completion of this training program, participants should be able to:

• Analyze the study and site activities and requirements.
• Explain the core ethical principles of clinical research.
• Discuss how the research subject’s safety, rights and welfare are protected in clinical trials.
• Describe the development process for medical products and the related regulations.
• Determine good clinical practices for ensuring the safety of the research subject and the validity of a clinical trial.

This course helps clinical researchers of all types build competency in Clinical Trial Operations (GCPs), Ethical and Participant Safety Considerations, and Scientific Concepts and Research Design. Explore Competencies >

Course Not Approved for ACRP Contact Hours | Available 1 Year from Enrollment Date

Free Online Clinical Research Courses

Clinical research plays a very vital role in medical health care. Before anything is put into practice, it will have to be discovered first and tested: this is the role of clinical research.

Free online courses on clinical research teach the basics of clinical research. They help students understand more about modern health care and the role of clinical research and its discovery. Courses like these are ideal for college students and people who are considering taking up a career in health care and life sciences. It is also good for social care practitioners that want to find out more information about the role of clinical research in improving the quality of healthcare.

Clinical research training for research professionals include taking necessary courses and getting the necessary accompanying certification. However, clinical research professionals can also take part in courses teaching the rudiments of clinical research and good clinical practice. An example of one of such courses is the one offered by National Institutes of Health (NIH). The course "Introduction to the principles and practice of clinical research" is a course that teaches professionals how to improve their effectiveness and to as well safety. This course covers topics like study design, monitoring and regulatory considerations, how to prepare and implement clinical studies, statistics, ethical and legal considerations in clinical research, measurements, additional study design etc. A course like this helps you to understand the very basics of clinical research and improves your efficiency.

As good as free online clinical research courses are to help you develop your career as a clinical research professional , they are not meant to take the place of the required training needed, especially those that train you in the protection of the human subjects of clinical research. For those interested in specializing further, consider the Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification or the Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification .

For further details and information on how to get free online courses for clinical research professionals , visit ccrps.org. Whether you are a research professional looking to learn more and better your career or you are a student or someone just taking up an interest in the field of clinical research, there will be something for you.

Take courses from CCRPS and learn more on how to become a clinical research professional, such as the Clinical Research Coordinator , Pharmacovigilance Certification , CRA , ICH-GCP , Clinical Trials Assistant Training , or Medical Monitor Certification .

Discover more from Clinical Research Training | Certified Clinical Research Professionals Course

Why Are Clinical Research Seminars Important

Online clinical research assoicate (cra) training.

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OCRECO Home > Clinical Research Education > Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) > Course Information

OFFICE OF CLINICAL RESEARCH EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION OUTREACH

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Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR)

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General Information

This course is offered at no cost. The course is conducted via an online format through recorded lectures and an online discussion board for participants to submit questions to faculty.

The course consists of approximately 40 lectures, ranging from 15-90 minutes each.

Although not required, each registered participant is expected to take the online final exam, which consists of 50-80 multiple choice questions. Participants are permitted to use lecture handouts, videos, and the supplementary course textbook during the final exam.

An electronic Certificate of Completion is awarded to each registered participant who achieves a score of 80% or higher on the final exam.

There is no academic credit or continuing medical education (CME) credit offered for this course.

Important Dates for the 2023-2024 Course Year

Course Modules

The course syllabus will be posted in September 2018.

View the course syllabus here [PDF, 221KB].

• Module 1: Introduction to Clinical Research
• Module 2: Conceptualizing the Clinical Trial Study/Protocol
• Module 3: Protocol Review, Implementation & Monitoring
• Module 4: Data Quality & Results Reporting
• Module 5: Topics of Special Interest

Supplemental Materials

The course textbook, Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, Fourth Edition (2018, ISBN: 978 0-12-849905-4) is available for purchase from several online book retailers and at the NIH Building 10 FAES book store.

Copies of the textbook can be purchased through Elsevier with a 30% discount and free shipping using the discount code BIOMED30 .

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