Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong

Yale University

About this Course

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How can you tell if the bold headlines seen on social media are truly touting the next big thing or if the article isn't worth the paper it's printed on? 
Understanding Medical Studies, will provide you with the tools and skills you need to critically interpret medical studies, and determine for yourself the difference between good and bad science. 

The course covers study-design, research methods, and statistical interpretation. It also delves into the dark side of medical research by covering  fraud, biases, and common misinterpretations of data. Each lesson will highlight case-studies from real-world journal articles.

By the end of this course, you'll have the tools you need to determine the trustworthiness of the scientific information you're reading and, of course, whether or not your Facebook friend is wrong.

This course was made possible in part by the George M. O'Brien Kidney Center at Yale.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

How to efficiently read a medical research paper and how to differentiate between good and bad research

The different tests used in medical research and how to spot common errors in methodology and interoperation for each

Read and understand statistical figures, charts, and graphics

How best to verify claims made in news articles

Skills you will gain

MedicineHealth ResearchMedical TerminologyMedical WritingResearch Methods

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.96/5 (428 Ratings)

F. Perry Wilson
Top Instructor

Associate Professor of Medicine

Yale School of Medicine

42,775 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(3,182 ratings)

Week

Week 1

25 minutes to complete

Welcome!

Find out what you'll be learning and what powers you'll have by the end of the course!

25 minutes to complete

1 video (Total 10 min), 2 readings

1 video

Course Introduction10m

2 readings

Lesson Guide10m

Pre Course Survey5m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

The Basics

Gain some foundational knowledge!

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 54 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

How Research Works18m

The Medical Manuscript14m

The Replication Crisis12m

The Question is - What is the Question?9m

2 readings

Module Preview 10m

Pre Quiz: The Basics20m

1 practice exercise

The Basics30m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Medical Statistics Made Ridiculously Simple

It's (sort of) that easy!

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 108 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Types of Data11m

Averages By Other Names11m

Sampling: The Secret Sauce of Statistics16m

Statistics is an Onion12m

The Biggest Secret in Medicine: Relative vs Absolute Risk10m

The Power and the Problem with the P-Value18m

Choosing a Statistical Test11m

The Interpretation of "Negative" Studies15m

2 readings

Module Preview10m

Pre Quiz: Medical Statistics Made Ridiculously Simple30m

1 practice exercise

Medical Statistics Made Ridiculously Simple30m

Week

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Types of Medical Studies

A test for every situation!

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 111 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

The Randomized, Controlled Trial14m

Covid Content - How to Find Your Own Research17m

The Cohort Study9m

The Case-Control Study9m

Studies of Diagnostic Tests13m

Covid Content - Vaccine Efficacy Calculation 3m

Meta-Analysis: Fondue or Clam Chowder?13m

Time to Event Analysis - Only the Strong Survive14m

The Cost-Effectiveness Study: How Much is Your Life Worth?14m

2 readings

Module Preview10m

Pre Quiz: Types of Medical Studies 30m

1 practice exercise

Types of Medical Studies30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong

Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong