HNE-31006 Study Design and Interpretation in Epidemiology and Public Health

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health, Basic Statistics.

Continuation courses:

Analytical Epidemiology, Public Health Practice.

Contents:

This course builds upon concepts of study designs from 'Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health' by putting the design, conduct and interpretation of observational and intervention studies into practice. Emphasis will be placed on concepts of misclassification, bias, confounding and effect modification. In working groups under tutorial arrangements, studies will be designed for epidemiological and public health questions taking methodological as well as practical considerations into account. Existing articles will be critically reviewed during literature review. Issues discussed will involve potential misclassification of exposure and disease, selection and information bias, confounding and effect modification. Also, practical modules, partly ICT based, will be used to put these concepts into practice. Additionally, lectures will be provided focusing on advanced design variants in epidemiology, systematic literature reviews and meta-analysis, taking into account the above mentioned methodological issues.

Learning outcomes:

After completing the course, students are expected to be able to:
- understand the characteristics of major epidemiological study designs, including potential methodological threats with respect to validity and confounding;
- critically review and interpret epidemiological studies, reported in the literature;
- design, plan and review studies used in epidemiology and public health, taking methodological and practical considerations into account;
- understand the principles of a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Activities:

- prepare and follow lectures;
- study prescribed written materials (book by Webb & Bain);
- conduct E-modules;
- critically review literature via self-study and response lectures;
- perform grant writing (group work).

Examination:

Written exam with: multiple choice questions (25% of mark) and open questions (75% of mark).

Literature:

Book:
Penny Webb, Chris Bain, Sandy Pirozzo. (2005). Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for students and health professionals. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521546613.