Course on Clinical Research and Biostatistics August 2025 class photo
Wendy M. Novicoff, PhD
Having research experience can be important for medical students matching into some competitive residencies. However, many students have not had formal training in biostatistics or experience in the concepts of clinical research. In order to help bridge the gap for medical students, Wendy M. Novicoff, PhD, professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences and Orthopaedic Surgery, consulted with Associate Dean for Curriculum Megan Bray, MD, about voluntarily piloting a course that would focus on designing, conducting, and publishing clinical research.
The course, held during the last two weeks of August, consisted of five three-hour in person sessions held at the UVA Orthopaedic Center on Ivy Road. Chair of UVA Orthopaedic Surgery Bobby Chhabra, MD and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery sponsored the sessions, including providing dinner and snacks for all attendees.
Topics covered in the course included:
- Writing good research questions
- Designing good research studies
- Determining sample size and power
- Writing surveys
- Submitting IRB applications
- Managing and collecting reliable data
- Choosing appropriate statistical tests
- Conducting statistical analysis using a statistical program: univariate analysis (parametric and nonparametric) and multiple linear regression
A total of 32 UVA medical students completed the entire course. Based on the success of this pilot, Dr. Novicoff plans to offer this course again to interested trainees and even faculty.
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