Epidemiological Study Designs

Epidemiological Study Designs

Epidemiology is driven by data and usually relies on the collection of information and the analysis and interpretation of that information. Researchers in epidemiology are interested in the constant measurement or assessment of the relationship between exposure and disease/outcome. The study designs can be classified as observational or experimental depending on the approach used to assess the association between exposure and outcome.

APA

Check out our Essay writing services

Epidemiological Study Designs

For the Unit III Case Study, research and describe one experimental study design and one observational study design, and provide at least one example of how each design can be used in a research intervention.

Explain how one of these studies can be applied to one of the health problems you identified in your community. Provide a statistical table of the health problem you identified in your community (prevalence, incidence, mortality rates, and morbidity rates). This information is usually found in the local departments of health websites. Explain whether the health problem in your community is an endemic, epidemic, or pandemic.

Your case study must be a minimum of three pages in length, excluding the title and reference pages. To support your ideas, use a minimum of three outside sources; one may be the textbook. Additionally, use a source that focuses on your community, such as a newspaper or journal article.

1. Introduction

Begin with a brief overview:

• Importance of Epidemiologic Designs in understanding exposure-outcome relationships.

• Task: Describe one experimental (RCT) and one observational design (cohort), give examples, link to your community health problem.

2. Experimental Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Description:

• RCTs randomly assign participants to intervention or control groups and compare outcomes.

• Considered the “gold standard” for establishing causality osctr.ouhsc.edu+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1mdpi.com+6learning.eupati.eu+6study.com+6.

Example Intervention:

• A community-based RCT where residents are randomized to receive a physical activity program aimed at reducing Type 2 diabetes incidence.

3. Observational Study Design: Cohort Study

Description:

• Follows exposed vs. unexposed groups over time to assess outcome incidence en.wikipedia.orgsph.unc.edu+1sph.unc.edu+1.

• Can be prospective or retrospective…………………….