The course contains live online lectures, asynchronous tasks, and more informal small group work that will provide a hands-on introduction to the design and conduct of diagnostic research. There is an emphasis on learning through practical tasks and participation.

By the end of the course participants should be able to:

1. describe why we undertake diagnostic test accuracy research;
2. define, calculate and interpret measures of test accuracy, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves;
3. identify key sources of bias and variation in test accuracy research;
4. describe key features of a diagnostic systematic review;
5. appreciate methods of diagnostic research beyond test accuracy studies; and
6. design an optimal study to address a research question.

The course is open to anyone who would like to learn about test accuracy research. This may include clinicians, researchers, methodologists and other health professionals. Attendees do not need to have a background in epidemiology or statistics.

The course contains live online lectures, asynchronous tasks, and more informal small group work that will provide a hands-on introduction to the design and conduct of diagnostic research. There is an emphasis on learning through practical tasks and participation.

The course will cover:

• an introduction to diagnosis and tests;
• defining the research question including clinical pathways;
• measures of test accuracy;
• key principles of study design and methods;
• sources of variation and bias; and
• making your research clinically relevant.

Please note that no computer practicals are included, with the focus instead on interpretation of statistical concepts and results of analysis.