Epidemiological method: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:17, 17 April 2012

Revision as of 14:29, 15 July 2012

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#*Because epidemiological studies can rarely be conducted in a laboratory the results are often polluted by uncontrollable variations in the cases. This often makes the results difficult to interpret. Two methods have evolved to assess the strength of the relationship between the disease causing agent and the disease.

#*[[Koch's postulates]] were the first criteria developed for epidemiological relationships. Because they only work well for highly contagious bacteria and toxins, this method is largely out of favor.

#*[[Epidemiology#Bradford- Hill criteria|Bradford-Hill Criteria]] are the current standards for epidemiological relationships. A relationship may fill all, some, or none of the criteria and still be true.

#Publish the results<ref>Austin, Donald F., and S. B. Werner. Epidemiology for the health sciences a primer on epidemiological concepts and their uses. Springfield, Ill: C. C. Thomas, 1974. Print.</ref>