Overview
Complete the Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology program and earn a microcredential
Upon successfully completing this program, you will receive a microcredential recognizing your learning achievement. Complete with details of the skills and specialized knowledge you have acquired, the microcredential is digitally shareable, making it easy to add to your resume, LinkedIn profile and to share with current or prospective employers.
Grow your knowledge in health research methodology
Improve your knowledge of health research methodology. Acquire the skills necessary to successfully initiate, carry out, and complete a research study.
- Online non-credit course, affiliated with the McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences (Department of Anesthesia)
- Gain the knowledge and skills you need to effectively conduct research studies in your field
- Earn a Certificate of Completion in just 10 weeks
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Program highlights Learn More
- Now offered as a microcredential
- Convenient online course
- Taught by experienced researchers
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology program features:
- Earn a Certificate of Completion
- Convenient online platform
- Learn from experienced researchers and instructors
- Connect with health professionals across various disciplines

What you'll learn Learn More
- Essential methodology for clinical trials
- Fundamentals of health research design, research ethics, measurement and statistics
- How to develop and write a research proposal
Through our Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology program, you’ll learn to:
- Distinguish the main types of health research design to select the most appropriate one for a research project
- Explain the hierarchy of evidence based on a study design and its implications in health research
- Critically appraise health research literature for validity and application of research outcomes
- Interpret basic statistical findings reported in clinical studies
- Formulate an answerable question using the “Participants, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes” (PICO) framework
- Develop a research proposal using health methods and approaches
- Identify strategies of knowledge translation, including writing and publishing manuscripts
Learn more about the Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology program
- Physicians
- Residents
- Medical students
- Nursing and health students
- Research Coordinators
- Research Assistants
- Any health professional who requires a solid foundation in health research methodology in order to successfully initiate, carry out and complete a research study
Earning a Certificate of Completion in Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology could lead to a wide range of rewarding careers including:
- Research Associate
- Research Assistant
- Research Project Coordinator
- Clinical Research Assistant
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Clinical Trial Coordinator
- Distinguish the main types of health research design to select the most appropriate design for a research project
- Explain the hierarchy of evidence based on a study design and its implications in health research
- Critically appraise health research literature for validity and application of research outcomes
- Interpret basic statistical findings reported in clinical studies
- Formulate an answerable question using the “Participants, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes” (PICO) framework
- Develop a research proposal using health research methods and approaches
- Identify strategies of knowledge translation, including writing and publishing manuscripts
What our recent graduates say

Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Completion in Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology
Earn a Certificate of Completion in Health Research Methodology with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate of Completion in Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology
Earn your Certificate of Completion by completing the 10-week course listed below.
Courses (complete 1)
HTH 501
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology
(Currently Not Available)
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology Courses
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology Courses
Advance your career with online Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology courses
Explore course options below and register today!
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HTH 501
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology
(Currently Not Available)
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology Schedule
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology courses is $749 per course.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology (HTH 501) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |