MECOR Program

Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research (MECOR)
The Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research (MECOR) Program is designed for pulmonary clinicians, investigators, and academicians from Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean to provide training in research methods. The MECOR Program provides three levels of courses, previously referred to as the International Respiratory Epidemiology (IRE) Basic, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 courses:

Level 1: Introduction to Clinical Research is appropriate for clinicians and academicians who are engaged in the clinical practice of respiratory medicine, public health, allergy and critical care and wish to improve their skills in clinical research and investigation. No prior experience with research is needed. The textbooks used are Epidemiology by Leon Gordis (2nd Edition, Saunders) and Research Methods for Promotion of Lung Health, published by the Union (previously the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease). The charge for the Level 1 Course is $150 US.

Level 2: Advanced Clinical Research Methods is a continuation of the Level 1 Course and focuses on clinical epidemiology and advanced clinical research methods. Level 2 is recommended for all in pulmonary medicine who are interested in advancing their skills in clinical research. It is also appropriate for individuals who wish to improve their skills in reading the literature and research design. Prerequisite is the IRE Basic/MECOR Level 1 Course or equivalent in experience in basic research methods. The textbook used is Designing Clinical Research by Stephen Hulley (2nd Edition, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins). The charge for the Level 2 Course is $150 US.

Level 3: Applied Clinical Research Methods. There are two Level 3 Courses, both designed for the individual who wants to do clinical research and/or pursue an academic career. Prerequisites are the IRE Advanced 1/MECOR Level 2 Courses or equivalent experience. There will be more individual study time in the Level 3 Courses than lecture time. The choice of the 3A or 3B course depends upon whether the individual is in the process of planning and carrying out a particular research study that they would like to work on in the course with faculty advice.  The charge for the Level 3 Courses is $150 US.

Level 3A: Protocol Development: This course continues to build on experience in research design gained in previous Basic & Advanced IRE/MECOR Courses. It is designed specially for the individual who is starting a research project and needs to refine the design and write a detailed protocol or manual of procedures. Students will bring a project in development or one that they would like to develop, and work on this under supervision. Do not submit a description of a study that has already been completed, unless it is simply an attachment to the description of the study you plan to conduct.

Level 3B: Data Analysis & Scientific Writing: This course is specifically for the individual who has collected research data and is ready to analyze the data or write a paper. Students will bring their own data and/or draft paper and work on this under supervision. For those who would like to improve their skills in analyzing data but don't have their own, a data set can be provided.

The MECOR 3C Course, Statistics and Data Analysis, will not be offered in 2007.  At present we are anticipating offering this on an every other year basis.

Prerequisites for all courses include:

• Fluency in English and expertise in written English, as evidenced by completion of an essay as part of the application process. All classes are taught in English and active participation by the students is expected.
• Medical degree or advanced degree in related areas such as public health
• Students are required to attend class for the full week and expected to do preparation in the evenings and before the course. The week's course work is demanding and students are strongly encouraged to free themselves of all other commitments for the week of the course.
• Students will be expected to present their research protocols or week's work on the last day.