Epidemiologic Measures
3.1 Measures of disease frequency Background Measures of disease frequency quantify how often a disease or condition occurs within a given population. Thus, measures of disease frequency are also called…
Confidence Intervals and p-Values
13.1 Introduction Parameters and estimates This chapter discusses the traditional methods used to address random error in quantitative research. Before discussing these methods, we should recall the distinction between statistical…
Survival Analysis
17.1 Introduction Survival analysis encompasses a wide variety of techniques that focus on how long given states “persist” over time. This type of analysis has wide application whenever time to…
to Exercises and Review Questions
Chapter 1: Epidemiology past and present Review questions R.1.1 epi = “upon”; demos = “the people”; ology = “to speak of” or “to study.” R.1.2 A personal response is requested….
Screening for Disease
10.1 Introduction This chapter considers the accuracy of diagnostic tests and procedures. It also considers implications of diagnostic test accuracy in population-based screening programs. The accuracy of a diagnostic test…
Mantel–Haenszel Methods
14.1 Ways to prevent confounding The previous chapter used confidence intervals and significance tests to address random error during data analysis. This chapter uses Mantel–Haenszel methods to address the problem…
Case–Control Studies
8.1 Introduction The two most common types of observational study designs in epidemiology are cohort studies and case–control studies. The objective of both these types of studies is to learn…
Current Life Tables
18.1 Introduction Generational (cohort) life tables versus current (“cross-sectional”) life tables. A life table is a scheme for expressing mortality over an entire lifetime. To accomplish this, we could in…
Observational Cohort Studies
7.1 Introduction The term cohort derives from the Latin word cohors, meaning “an enclosure.”a This is an apt description of the cohort method because cohort studies follow the experiences of…
Random Distribution of Cases in Time and Space
19.1 Introduction Random distribution in time and space Epidemiologists are often called upon to evaluate whether an observed number of cases in a population is greater than expected and whether…
