title: A comparison of online versus on-site training in health research methodology: a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distance learning may be useful for building health research capacity. However, evidence that it can improve knowledge and skills in health research, particularly in resource-poor settings, is limited. We compared the impact and acceptability of teaching two distinct content areas, Biostatistics and Research Ethics, through either on-line distance learning format or traditional on-site training, in a randomized study in India. Our objective was to determine whether on-line courses in Biostatistics and Research Ethics could achieve similar improvements in knowledge, as traditional on-site, classroom-based courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Volunteer Indian scientists were randomly assigned to one of two arms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students in Arm 1 attended a 3.5-day on-site course in Biostatistics and completed a 3.5-week on-line course in Research Ethics. Students in Arm 2 attended a 3.5-week on-line course in Biostatistics and 3.5-day on-site course in Research Ethics. For the two course formats, learning objectives, course contents and knowledge tests were identical.
  
  
  METHODS
  Improvement in knowledge immediately and 3-months after course completion, compared to baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics were similar in both arms (n = 29 each). Median knowledge score for Biostatistics increased from a baseline of 49% to 64% (p < 0.001) 3 months after the on-site course, and from 48% to 63% (p = 0.009) after the on-line course. For the on-site Research Ethics course, median score increased from 69% to 83% (p = 0.005), and for the on-line Research Ethics course from 62% to 80% (p < 0.001). Three months after the course, median gains in knowledge scores remained similar for the on-site and on-line platforms for both Biostatistics (16% vs. 12%; p = 0.59) and Research Ethics (17% vs. 13%; p = 0.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On-line and on-site training formats led to marked and similar improvements of knowledge in Biostatistics and Research Ethics. This, combined with logistical and cost advantages of on-line training, may make on-line courses particularly useful for expanding health research capacity in resource-limited settings.
authors.affiliation: Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India. aggarwal.ra@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupte
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Anant
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhan
authors.forename: Amita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sisson
authors.forename: Sukon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanchanaraksa
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenzie-White
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGready
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miotti
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bollinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*