Epi Research guidelines - Week 13

Question 1

Why is it important to have reporting guidelines?

Answer 1

1. Improves quality of reporting by providing structured and standardized framework
2. Helps author avoid omissions and ensure all informations are included in the manuscript.
3. Helps towards “standardized reporting” which allows for better comparisions across studies; facilitates meta-analysis and systematic reviews
4. Improves Transparencey which is fundamental to integrity of scientific research
5. Reputable journals require adherence to established guidelines.

Question 2

What is transparency in reporting?

Answer 2

1. What research was planned?
2. Who funded it?
3. What was the primary research question?
4. How was the research conducted?
5. What were the results?
6. How did you **interpret **the results?
7. Was it ethichal did you get HREB approva?
8. Are the data accessible?

Question 3

What is the most relevant guideline for epi studies?

Answer 3

STROBE - Strengthening the reporting of observationals studies in epidemiology

Question 4

What re the other types of reporting guidelines?

Answer 4

1. CHEERS - Consolidated health economic evaluation reporting standards
2. RECORD - Reporting of studies conducted using observational routinely collected health data
3. CONSORT - Consolidated standards of reporting trials
4. TREND - Transparent reporting of evaluations with non-randomized designs

Question 5

What is a** A-Theoretical **research?

Answer 5

Exploratory, descriptive or data-driven research that **lacks a strong theoretical foundation

Question 6

Types of A- Theoretical research

Answer 6

Atheoritical… refers to Data-mining the computer analyses a large bunch of data and comes up with associations and relationships; LACKS A STRONG THEORITICAL FOUNDATION ; NOT WORKING existing knowledge, theories, concepts and principles.

1. Data driven - gathering and analyzing data without a hypothesis
2. Descriptive - document phenomena without attempting to explain in terms of theoritical concept
3. Qualitative - describe rich and complex experiences without relying on predefined theories
4. Other Observational NOT EPI- observing and documenting in real-world setting without a theoretical lens

Question 7

What is theoritical research?

Answer 7

Theoretical research is scientific research that focuses on developing and exploring new ideas, concepts, models, framework or hypotheses without necessarily using direct eperimentation or empirical data collection. Fundamental aspect of the scientific process, lays groundwork for empirical studies and practical application.

Theoretical research is essential because it lays intellectual foundation for scientific progress, informs empirical research by providing hypothesis. generally not a stand alone exercise two approaches are complimentary

Question 8

Elements of theoretical research

Answer 8

1. Hypothesis generation - formulation based on existing theories or obseration
2. Conceptual framework - develop models to explain complex phenomenon; structured way of understanding relationships between variables
   3. Thought experiments - explore implications of certian ideas without physically conducting experiments; insights about how certain systems behave
3. Mathematical modeling; developing mathematical model to describe complex phenomena
4. **Philosophical inquiry: **engage in philosophical discussions and debates to better understand the fundamental nature of concepts , theories in a field of study

Question 9

Is epidemiological research a theoritical research?

Answer 9

YES, Epidemiologist work with existing knowledge, theories, concepts and principles.

Question 10

There are two surveys one with 95% response rate and the other with 50% response rate. which bias can come into place here?

Answer 10

Selection bias

Question 11

Why was pedometer used to track the steps of students in APPLE school study?

Answer 11

• objecive measurement (means less susceptibility to bias), gives you exact number
• Established measure of physical activity, national standard was 10,000 steps per day
• Prevents recall bias

Question 12

Why does population approach and high-risk approach do not help in addressing inequities?

Answer 12

• It needs a targetted approach
• • We can combine population health approach and high-risk approach; e.g. of apple school and this is how it worked

There are early adaptors and late adaptors which flattenes the bell curve increasing more variability and increasing the inequity; but we can combine them to address the inequity.