Research and Study Design Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is epidemiology
the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations.
What is an incidence rate
the number of new cases that develop over a certain time period
what is prevalence rate
the number of current cases at a given point in time
what is the iceberg phenomenon
the fact that not all cases of disease can be detected because some individuals will be asymptomatic, so you are only accounting for a certain percentage of the diseased population not the whole group
What are the criteria of a risk factor
- temporal relation
- Dose response
- Strength of Association
- Consistency
- Biological Plausibility
What is temporal relation as a criteria of a risk factor
Exposure precedes the outcome (must be satisfied)
What is Dose Response as criteria for a risk factor
Does increasing the dose increase the probability or severity of the outcome
What is Strength of Association as criteria for a risk factor
is the probability or rate of an outcome higher in exposed group than the unexposed group
What is consistency as criteria for a risk factor
do studies in different settings and groups provide the same results
What is biological plausibility as criteria for a risk factor
does the association make biological sense
What is primary prevention
preventing the disease befor it occurs, you don’t have the disease
What is secondary prevention
When you are at risk for developping the disease, and you take measures to prevent from developping the disease
What is Tertiary prevention
when you have the disease and manage the symptoms soften the impact of the ongoing disease
What are descriptive studies
studies that simply describe what is seen. (incidence and prevalence) they describe the distribution of the disease
What are analytic studies
studies that attempt to determine associations between a disease and possible risk factors and quantify risks. they elucidate the determinants of the disease
What is the difference between observational studies and experimental studies
experimental studies is when the investigator has control over the study conditions.
Observational studies are when the investigator has little control over the study conditions.
How do descriptive studies influence analytic studies
they help identify associated factors of the disease (potential causes), those factors are then further investigated by analytic studies
What are Case reports
observational studies on interesting or unusual findings in a single individual
What are Case Series
observational studies on interesting or unusual findings in a small group of individuals
What are correlational/ecological studies
when you compare average levels of exposures and outcomes
What are cross sectional surveys
surveys that are snapshots that assess prevalence of exposure and disease in a defined population
What types of studies are descriptive studies
Case reports
Case series
Correlational studies
Cross sectional surveys
What types of studies are analytic studies
Case-Control studies
Cohort Studies
intervention Studies
What are the two different branches of analytic studies
observational studies
experimental studies
