Question

1.Discuss three different general types of epidemiological research.

2. Briefly describe the differences between each of them and what are some benefits and challenges of the different types.

3. Compare and contrast a between-group experimental study and within a group experimental study. Give examples that are applicable to epidemiological research.

Answer 1

Answer for question 1:

Epidemiology study is the analysis of the distribution and the determinants of health and disease condition in a population. The three main types of epidemiology study are:

Case series: it a type where the subjects are tracked with a known exposure such as patient with the same treatment. It examines the medical records for exposure and outcome. It may be consecutive or non-consecutive.

Case-control studies: it a type of observational study. In this two different groups with different outcomes are identified and compared. For example it is used to identify the factors that contribute to a medical condition by comparing the subjects who has the disease and who do not have the disease.

Cohort studies: it is a form of longitudinal study. It experiments with a group of people who share a common characteristic for a specific time. it can be retrospective or prospective.