Study suggestions for the final examination

PADM 5324

Fall 2009

Dr. Neubauer

1) Be able to write about the subject and purpose of epidemiology, including its relevance to public policy.

2) Be able to write about the use of the scientific method in epidemiology. See chapter 2 of our textbooks in this regard.

3) Given a simple fraction representing cases in a population, be able to calculate an incidence rate per 1000. You may bring and use a calculator.

4) Be able to define and compute an attack rate. In what context is an attack rate usually used?

5) What is the meaning of "herd immunity?"

6) Know the distinction between morbidity and mortality.

7) Be able to identify some of the major problems regarding the use of survey research in epidemiology.

8) Be able to identify and briefly explain the various ways to express survival times/rates.

9) What is a randomized trial? Why are randomized trials relatively rare in epidemiology?

10) What is the distinction between type 1 and type 2 errors?

11) What does it mean to say that a study double blind? This involves a discussion of sources of bias in research.

12) What is a cohort study? Be able to describe how to do a cohort study. What are the major problems or challenges associated with the administration of a cohort study? What is it about a cohort study that is an advantage over a case-control study?

13) What is it about the beginning of a case-control study that is the evidence that this is the use of the case-control method? Do you begin with a group of persons exposed to something or with a group of person with some condition/disease?

14) How should the controls in a case-control study be selected? Be able to give and discuss an example regarding the selection of controls.

15) Please review all the questions in the speaking notes for October 13.

16) I will not ask you to calculate relative risk ratios and odds ratios. Just remember that the relative risk ratio is a better measure than is the odds ratio but in some situations it is not possible to calculate the relative risk ratio. The odds ratio is a good estimate of the relative risk ratio when a disease DOES NOT occur frequently in a population. In some cases confusion between the relative risk ratio and the odds ratio can make the risk appear much greater than is the reality. (corrected 11/30/2009)

17) What is the difference between a background risk and an attributable risk? What is total risk?

18) Know the guidelines for identifying causality in an association.

19) What are the two kinds of twins? What is the difference between the two kinds of twins? Why are studies involving twins useful in trying to understand the interaction of heredity and environment on the incidence of diseases?

20) Schizophrenia appears to have an association with Western civilization. No cases were "reported" prior to 1800. Most cases appear in highly developed nations. Some scholars have suggested that it is collection of mental illnesses associated with the complex sets of relationships we experience in the modern world. Now, suppose that you anticipate that schizophrenia and possible related problems will become more frequent as a result of online social networking. Explain how you would design and implement a cohort study with the intent of studying this possibilty.