Risk and probability

Question 1

Define risk

Answer 1

The probability that a hazardous event will occur, the consequences of the event

Question 2

Define relative risk

Answer 2

Comparing the likelihood of harm occurring in those exposed against those not exposed eg Smokers vs Nonsmokers

Question 3

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 3

A statement that says the changes in a variable or results are due to chance and nothing else, presume there is no difference between the control group and experiment group

Question 4

What is a cohort study?

Answer 4

A group of people who are followed over time to see who contracts a disease. Is perspective; at the start no one has the disease. Exposure to risk factors and whether or not the person developed the disease is recorded to determine any correlations.

Question 5

What is a case study?

Answer 5

A group of people with the disease are compared to a group who don’t. Information is collected about the risk factors that they have been exposed to in the past, allowing factors that may have contributed to develop the disease. They are retrospective; everyone in the case group has the disease already

Question 6

What are the features of a good study?

Answer 6

Well structured
Clear aim 
Representative sample
Valid and reliable results
Sample size
Controlling variables