Public Health Research Methods
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.
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Public Health Research Methods
For the Unit III Case Study, research and describe one experimental study design and one observational study design. It provides 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.
Remember that all written assignments must be formatted using APA style, including in-text citations and references.
Observational Study Example: Cohort Study
A cohort study is a longitudinal research method where a specific population group is followed over time. For instance, a study might follow individuals exposed to air pollution in urban Alabama neighborhoods to assess their risk of developing asthma. Researchers track new cases over time, compare them with unexposed populations, and determine relative risk.
Experimental Study Example: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
An RCT involves randomly assigning participants to either an intervention or control group to test the effect of a treatment or preventive measure. For example, a trial in a high-obesity community might test a new school nutrition program. Schools are randomly assigned to implement the program or maintain existing practices, and student obesity rates are tracked over the school year to evaluate effectiveness.
Application to a Local Health Problem
If your local community faces high rates of type 2 diabetes, researchers could apply an RCT to test the impact of a diabetes prevention initiative—such as weekly physical activity workshops. By analyzing incidence rates in both the intervention and control groups, public health professionals can assess program effectiveness and recommend broader implementation.
