Epidemiological method: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:37, 11 May 2010

Revision as of 16:33, 23 August 2010

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The science of epidemiology has matured significantly from the times of [[Hippocrates]] and [[John Snow (physician)|John Snow]]. The techniques for gathering and analyzing epidemiological data vary depending on the type of disease being monitored but each study will have overarching similarities.

==Outline of the Process of an Epidemiological Study<ref>Austin, Donald F., and S. B. Werner. Epidemiology for the health sciences a primer on epidemiologicepidemiological concepts and their uses. Springfield, Ill: C. C. Thomas, 1974. Print.</ref>==

#Establish that a Problemproblem Existsexists

The science of epidemiology has matured significantly from the times of [[Hippocrates]] and [[John Snow (physician)]]. The techniques for gathering and analyzing epidemiological data vary depending on the type of disease being monitored but each study will have overarching similarities.

#*Full epidemiological studies are expensive and laborious undertakings. Before any study is started, a case must be made for the importance of the research.

#Confirm the Homogeneityhomogeneity of the Eventsevents

==Outline of the Process of an Epidemiological Study<ref>Austin, Donald F., and S. B. Werner. Epidemiology for the health sciences a primer on epidemiologic concepts and their uses. Springfield, Ill: C. C. Thomas, 1974. Print.</ref>==

#Establish that a Problem Exists

#*Full epidemiological studies are expensive and laborious undertakings. Before any study is started a case must be made for the importance of the research.

#Confirm the Homogeneity of the Events

#*Any conclusions drawn from inhomogeneous cases will be suspicious. All events or occurrences of the disease must be true cases of the disease.

#Collect all the Eventsevents

#*It is important to collect as much information as possible about each event in order to inspect a large number of possible risk factors. The events may be collected from varied methods of [[Epidemiology#Types of studies|epidemiological study]] or from censuses or hospital records.

#*The events can be characterized by [[incidence (epidemiology)|Incidence]] rates and [[Prevalenceprevalence]] rates.

#Characterize the events as to epidemiological factors

##Predisposing factors

##*Non-environmental factors that increase the likelihood of getting a disease. Genetic history, age, and gender are examples.

##Enabling/Disablingdisabling factors

##*Factors relating to the environment that either increase or decrease the likelihood of disease. Exercise and good diet are examples of disabling factors. A weakened immune system and poor nutrition are examples of enabling factors.

##Precipitation factors

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#Look for patterns and trends

#*Here one looks for similarities in the cases which may identify major risk factors for contracting the disease. [[Outbreak#Types|Epidemic curves]] may be used to identify such risk factors.

#Formulate a Hypothesishypothesis

#*If a trend has been observed in the cases, the researcher may postulate as to the nature of the relationship between the potential disease-causing agent and the disease.

#Test the hypothesis