methods@manchester is a web resource which brings together The University of Manchester’s internationally acclaimed expertise on social research methods. Visit www.methods.manchester.ac.uk to watch video clips of experts talking about specific methods: examples include Martin Everett’s leading work on Social Network Analysis, Wes Sharrock on Ethnomethodology, Nick Shryane on Structural Equation Modelling and Ian Plewis on Multilevel modelling.

You can also listen to a wide range of introductory methodological talks, whilst viewing associated PowerPoint presentations – for example Penny Harvey explains why and how anthropologists conduct ethnography and Vanessa May explains the rationale behind narrative analysis.

September 13 marks the start of the programme of events for the autumn semester, with seminars and short courses taking place. On September 29 the Methods Fair includes methods-related presentations throughout the day (speakers include Martin Everett on social networks; Carol Smart on in-depth interviews; Nick Shryane on structural equation modelling); a display of posters by researchers and PhD students; stalls giving information on training opportunities, online resources, short courses and much more …..

Go to the web-site www.methods.manchester.ac.uk and join the mailing list to receive a regular update on methodological events.

Oxford Institute of Ageing Spring School
‘The Multi-disciplinary Toolkit for Global Ageing’
University of Oxford
19-23 April 2009

Deadline for registrations: 2 April 2009
Download the updated brochure here:
http://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/system/files/SpringSchoolBrochure2009.pdf

This four day school will address concepts and tools in demography, bio-demography, bio-medical research and practice, economics, sociology, health and policy. Special emphasis will be placed on developing methodological skills, both from quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Additional opportunities for networking and informal discussion will be provided through poster sessions and workshops.

Costs for participation:
£550 (without accommodation)
£800 (including 4 nights B&B).

Places are limited, and registration will close on 2 April 2009.
For more information on the School and registration details please go to:
http://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/education/spring-school
or email to: angelika.kaiser@ageing.ox.ac.uk .

Exploiting Existing Data for Health Research

International Conference, 17-19 September 2009

Training Workshop, 12-16 September 2009    

University of St Andrews – Organised by the Scottish Health Informatics Programme (SHIP)

International Conference

In 2007 SHIP hosted the first ‘Exploiting Existing Data for Health Research’ conference at the University of St Andrews.  Designed  for researchers and practitioners interested in record linkage and the use of routine health data in their research, this three-day conference attracted over 70 papers and 120 participants from across the world including New Zealand, Australia, the  United States, Canada, and many countries in Europe.  Following funding from the Wellcome Trust, through the Scottish Health  Informatics Programme (SHIP), we are pleased that this will become a biennial event.

This 3-day inter-disciplinary conference  will gather together an international group of researchers who have expertise in the linkage and use of administrative or routine  data for health research or health care improvement.  Among others it will appeal to health researchers, including public health  professionals, policy analysts, health planners, and those working in health technology assessment, as well as those working in  health-related disciplines, such as health economics, population scientists and demographers.�
More information: http://www.lscs.ac.uk/SHIP_2009-1.pdf

We invite abstracts to be submitted by Monday 1st June 2009 on one of five themes:
1.   The value of record linkage in health research
The use of linked data is commonplace in health research. This theme will include papers based on one-off and general-purpose studies which demonstrate the range of research benefits that result from record linkage.

2.   Record linkage for health care improvement

Linked datasets are also vital to the improvement of health care services.  This theme will include papers covering a range  of themes including linkage to support health surveillance, health needs assessment, patient safety and quality improvement  activities, performance assessment and accountability.
 

3.   Longitudinal record linkage

Of particular research value are longitudinal studies which track information about individuals or organisations through time,  providing the opportunity to examine how different characteristics influence one another sequentially.  This session will  include papers that address the particular strengths of longitudinal data collection.
 

4.   The methodological challenges of record linkage

This theme will include papers on state-of-the-art techniques for record linkage.  Techniques might include methods for  record linkage, disclosure control, data management and analysis of linked data.  �
 

5.   Confidentiality, disclosure and ethical issues

The linkage of potentially sensitive data for health research and health care improvement raises various ethical issues.  This  theme will include papers that evaluate, for example, the public perception of record linkage, or advance the debate about  balancing people’s right to privacy and the public benefits of linked data for health research.

Training Workshop

Prior to the conference, we will be hosting a five-day training session on analysing linked health data (12-16 September 2009).  This  course will be led by Professor D’Arcy Holman who is based at the School of Population Health, University of  Western Australia.  He  is a leading figure in the field of linked health data and he will be presenting one of the keynote lectures at the conference which follows  immediately after this workshop.  Topics will include: 

 ‧  Using linkable registry data in health services research 

‧  Measuring health services utilisation

‧  Characterising clinical populations using linkable registry data                                  

‧  Evaluating health services outcome

‧  Theory and practice of risk adjustment in health services research