This course will cover the conceptual underpinnings, the policy context, and the methods for comparative effectiveness research (CER) highlighting key issues and controversies. It will provide students with an understanding of the analytic methods and data resources used to conduct comparative effectiveness research. Topics that will be discussed include systematic reviews, observational studies, risk adjustment, propensity score matching, instrumental variables, and the use of clinical registries and insurance claims data. Students will learn why comparative research has come to prominence, what makes good comparative effectiveness research, the main methods used and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The course will not be a statistics or how-to course. Sessions will consist of both lectures from the instructors and experts on selected topics, as well as student presentations.