EPI Methods Flashcards
1
Q
What are two major types of study designs?
A
- Observational: researcher studies, but does not alter, what occurs
- Experimental: researcher intervenes to change reality, then observes what happens
2
Q
What are four types of observational studies?
A
- Cross-sectional survey
- Cohort studies
- Case-control studies
- Case studies
3
Q
What is a cross-sectional survey?
A
- Observational
- Snapshot or cross section
- Used to help establish relationships, but unable to definitely establish cause and effect
- PRESENT, not past or future
- Important to have a representative sample
4
Q
What is a cohort study?
A
- Observational, analytical
- Prospective
- Study a population and look at exposures and outcomes
- Requires a lot of participants to see correlations
- Allows determination of cause and effect
- Looking at FUTURE
5
Q
What is a case-control study?
A
- Observational
- Retrospective
- Work backward from outcome to a suspected cause
- Compares a group with a health problem to another matched group that does not have the health problem
- Uncertainty about temporal relationship
- Looking at PAST
6
Q
What is a case study?
A
- Observational, descriptive
- In depth analysis of an individual, group, or social institution
7
Q
What are two types of experimental studies?
A
- Randomized control trials
2. Quasi-experimental designs
8
Q
What is a randomized control trial?
A
- Experimental
- Random allocation to experimental and control groups
- Measure baseline and outcomes
9
Q
What is a quasi-experimental design?
A
- Experimental
- No random allocation to groups
- Often used for natural experiments
- Sometimes used for pre/post after intervention
10
Q
What is causality/causal inference?
A
- Strength of association
- Consistency
- Biological plausibility
- Correct temporal sequence
- Dose-response relationship
