Short course
Applied Open Science and Research Integrity in Health Research
Course status:
Applications not yet being accepted
Dates:
22/11/2027 - 26/11/2027
Study format:
Short intensive
This course equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to conduct, evaluate and communicate health research that is ethical, transparent, reproducible and trustworthy. As expectations around open science, research integrity and responsible use of artificial intelligence continue to evolve, the ability to both produce and critically evaluate trustworthy research has become an essential skill for researchers and health professionals.
The course combines the principles of open science with practical approaches to research integrity across the research lifecycle. Students will explore how research integrity can be compromised, how transparent and reproducible research practices can help address these challenges, and how to evaluate the trustworthiness of the research record. Topics include research governance and ethics, preregistration, data and code sharing, transparent reporting, peer review, responding to research integrity concerns, and the responsible use of AI in research.
Interactive practical sessions, workshops and team-based peer review exercises provide opportunities to apply these concepts using authentic research materials, including published papers, study protocols, preregistrations and reporting guidelines.
The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm, Thursday 28th October 2027. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted.
Apply for this course
Apply using the button below.
Course aims
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- understand the principles of open science and research integrity and how research integrity can be compromised;
- apply practical approaches to transparent and reproducible research, including preregistration, data management and reporting;
- develop research governance documents such as ethics applications and data management plans;
- evaluate the transparency, reproducibility and trustworthiness of the research record;
- undertake constructive peer review and communicate research integrity concerns professionally;
- understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence in health research.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be expected to:
- Critically evaluate the principles of research integrity and open science, including how research integrity may be compromised within health research.
- Design and justify an ethics/REC submission including data governance and sharing decisions.
- Apply practical open science and reproducibility tools to support transparent and trustworthy research practices.
- Evaluate best practice in preregistration and protocol development aligned with recognised reporting standards.
- Apply integrity appraisal and peer review techniques to evaluate the transparency, reproducibility and trustworthiness of published research
- Communicate research integrity concerns constructively and professionally.
Entry requirements
This course is designed for researchers, health professionals, journal editors, research managers, policy professionals, and others involved in conducting, reviewing, commissioning or using health research.
To apply for this course you should be able to demonstrate:
- a basic understanding of research methods and study design;
- a basic understanding of the health research ecosystem, including how research is planned, conducted, published and used to inform evidence and decision-making;
- an interest in improving the transparency, reproducibility and trustworthiness of health research.
No prior experience of open science or research integrity is required. The course is suitable for both early-career researchers and experienced professionals wishing to develop specialist knowledge and practical skills in these areas.
Applicants should also:
- be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course;
- have professional work experience in the health service, academia, or a health-related field;
- be able to combine intensive classroom learning with independent postgraduate study;
- have a good working knowledge of email, internet and standard office applications;
- demonstrate English language proficiency at the University’s higher level.
Applicants will also be asked to submit a short personal statement describing their academic or professional experience and their reasons for applying.
Programme details
The course is delivered over eight weeks using a blended learning approach.
During the first week, students complete preparatory online activities introducing key concepts and establishing a common foundation. This is followed by an intensive five-day residential week in Oxford, combining interactive teaching sessions, facilitated workshops, practical exercises and team-based peer review activities using authentic and simulated research materials.
The Oxford week is followed by four weeks of structured online activities delivered through Canvas, enabling students to consolidate and extend the practical skills introduced during the residential week. These activities support completion of the final summative assessment, which uses provided research materials to allow all students – regardless of previous research experience – to demonstrate the practical application of the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.
You then have a week of personal study and you will be required to submit your assignment electronically the following week (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).
Teaching methods
Teaching will be supported by expert tutors from across the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the wider University of Oxford, together with invited external experts who bring complementary experience in research integrity, open science, scholarly publishing, peer review and reproducible research.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be based on submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.
Academic Credit
Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification. If you wish to discuss this possibility, please ensure you contact the Programme team at cpdheath@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to applying for the course.
Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.
A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.
Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.
Please contact cpdhealth@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.
IT requirements
Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.
The course is coordinated by Dr Nicholas DeVito and Dr David Nunan, internationally recognised researchers in research integrity, open science and evidence-based health care.
Nick is a Research Integrity Lead at the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science.
David is Director of the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care Teaching and Education and a Senior Researcher and Educator within the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Short Course in Health Sciences | £3520.00 |
Funding
Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.
Discounts
If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.
If you are a current employee of the NHS, you may be eligible for our new NHS Short Course Bursary (or “NHS Bursary”), which offers a limited number of places at a 20% fee reduction. Please click on the link here to find out more.
Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme. Accommodation is not included in the course fee.
Module code: O27C095B9Y
This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also be required to provide a reference. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.
Please ensure you read the guidance notes which appear when you click on the symbols as you progress through the application form, as any errors resulting from failure to do so may delay your application.
This is an accredited short course and is part of the Evidence-Based Health Care portfolio of courses.