How to Conduct Clinical Research in Psychiatry: From Theory to Practice

Third-cycle level | 1.5 credits (HEC) | Course code: K8F6087
VT 2026
Study period: 2026-03-09 - 2026-03-19
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: The course is given in English
Application period: 2025-10-15 - 2025-11-05
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Course description

This course aims to cover a range of methods, procedures, and considerations when conducting clinical trials involving people with psychiatric disorders, including assessments and psychological and psychiatric (e.g., pharmacological) treatment. The course will provide broad as well as in-depth knowledge about theoretical, methodological, and practical aspects of clinical trials focusing mainly on children and adolescents –considering the particularities of conducting research with this population– as well as other age groups (e.g., adults).

Participants will learn about the entire process of conducting a clinical trial, including randomized controlled trials but also feasibility/pilot trials, from developing research questions and coordinating clinical trials to publishing of the results and implementation. Hence, the course is particularly recommended to students whose reserch plan includes a clinical trial, or to those who want to learn more about the process of conducting these kind of studies. 

Prerequisites and Selection

Prerequisite courses, or equivalent

60 hp in psychology or psychiatry on an advanced level.

Selection

Selection will be based on:  
1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant’s individual study plan/research (according to written motivation) 
2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)

Course director

Course director: Lorena Fernández de la Cruz, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (lorena.fernandez.de.la.cruz@ki.se)

Course examiner: Sarah Vigerland, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (sarah.vigerland@ki.se)

Other contacts: Jens Högström (jens.hogstrom@ki.se), Kristina Aspvall (kristina.aspvall@ki.se), and Martina Nordh (martina.nord@ki.se)

Course administrator: Sarah Thylén (sarah.thylen@ki.se)

Course syllabus

K8F6087

Department

Department of Clinical Neuroscience

Doctoral programme

Neuroscience

Type of course

**Other course

Keywords

psychiatry, clinical psychology, randomized controlled trial, feasibility trial, pilot trial, clinical research, methods, child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry

CONTACTLorena Fernandez de la Cruz

lorena.fernandez.de.la.cruz@ki.se