Admission available for a twelve-day course titled “Scientific Research Design and Data Analysis” organized by Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) from Dec 25th, 2017 to Jan 07th, 2018. This is a workshop designed to enhance the capacity of scientific research of graduate students, research fellows and scientists who need research design and analytical skills. 

Quality research requires two important elements: good design and accurate data analysis. Good research design includes choosing the right research model, selecting the right participants, and collecting the right data. When the research design is good, the collected data is of high quality. High quality data, along with proper analysis, makes it possible for research to be accepted for publication in international scientific journals.

Some of the most influential scientific journals (especially those in the Nature group) require very serious and accurate data analysis. However, a lot of studies has been done but not published in international scientific journals. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that the research design is not complete and the analytical method is too simple and there are many mistakes. This class is designed to overcome this problem of researchers and graduate students.

1. Course Objectives

The general objective of the course is to introduce the basic concepts of scientific research, models of scientific research and data analysis. Participants will familiarize themselves with designing a research, data collection, and fundamentals of statistical methods. We will emphasize the application of data modeling methods through a number of our specific case studies. We expect that students after this course will be able to:

• Evaluate the value of scientific research;
• Choose the appropriate research model;
• Understand and use R language in data analysis;
• Understand and interpret descriptive methods;
• Apply linear regression models, logistic regression, Cox model and survival analysis methods;
• Present analytical results for scientific papers;
• Report research using Powerpoint;
• Write scientific articles.

2. Course participants 

The course is designed for graduates, PhD students, lecturers and scientists who carry out scientific research projects using data analysis. It is also open for undergraduates who share the same need. Basic knowledge of statistics is not a requirement. 

3. Venue

Ton Duc Thang University
19 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

4. Facilitators 

The course is managed by experimental scientists experienced in international scientific research and publication, including:

• Professor Nguyen Van Tuan
• Doctor Tran Son Thach 
• Mr. Ha Tan Duc 
• Other TDTU lecturers

Professor Nguyen Van Tuan has spent years developing predictive models and one of his achievements is Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator. He has also mentored PhD Students in the country to develop Mortality Predictive Models at hospitals. He currently is a Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Professor at UNSW Medicine. Professor Nguyen Van Tuan holds the title of Senior Scientific Consultant for President of Ton Duc Thang University and Head of Bone and Muscle Research Group at TDTU.

5. Course length

The course will start on December 25, 2017 and finish on January 07, 2017. (No class on Dec 31 and Jan 01, 2017)

• Level 1 (6 days): from Dec 25, 2017 to Dec 30, 2017
• Level 2 (6 days): from Jan 02, 2018 to Jan 07, 2018

Note: Weekends included.

6. Course Content

The proposed content of the course is as follows:

1. Introduction to scientific research: Why scientific research? Where do research ideas come from? What are the procedures of a scientific research?
2. Common mistakes in designing a research.
3. Case Study Design 1: Cross-sectional study model, case-control study; the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
4. Select study model 2: cohort study model, RCT study, meta-analysis.
5. Data collection method
6. Data management
7. Introduction to the R language and syntax R
8. Descriptive Analysis 1: continuous variable
9. Descriptive Analysis 2: Grouping and qualitative variable.
10. Analysis by Chart 1: Introducing ggplot2
11. Analysis by Chart 2: box charts, distribution, correlation, etc.
12. Introduce the idea of statistical testing and hypothesis testing.
13. Comparison with continuous variables: introduction of T-test method, Kruskal-Wallis, bootstrap, analysis of variance.
14. Comparison with qualitative variables: odds ratio method, relative risk, binomial test, Chi-square test.
15. Analysis of correlation
16. Simple linear regression model
17. Model testing by residual analysis
18. Multivariate linear regression model
19. Interpretation of linear regression model
20. How to choose a linear regression model
21. Introduction of logistic regression model
22. Multivariable logistic regression model
23. Survival analysis
24. Cox regression model
25. Graphical representation
26. Data sheet presentation
27. PowerPoint presentation skills

In addition, the program includes two days of lecture on writing scientific articles:

1. Structure of scientific articles
2. Writing an introduction
3. Writing a methods part
4. Writing a results part
5. Writing a discussion part
6. How to write details related to titles, acknowledgement, references and how to choose a scientific journal.

7. Registration and Contact

- Course registration will remain available until December 18th, 2017.
- Course Fee: 6 million VND / student (including books, materials, and tea-break during 12 school days). For students registering only one level (6 days), the fee is 3 million VND / student.

For more information please contact: Department for Management of Science and Technology Development (Ngo Chung Luong), Room A303, 19, Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, HCMC; Tel: (028) 37755 037;
Email: ngochungluong@tdt.edu.vn.

Download course announcement here.