Epidemiology – Study Types and Descriptive Studies – Flashcards
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Why are studies undertaken?
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To demonstrate a link (relationship or association) between a condition/agent and disease. They can also help direct how the investigation is conducted
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What is a prospective study?
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Prospective studies looks forward, following individuals or populations through time, in real time
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What is a retrospective study?
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A study that looks back in time to study events that have already happened
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What is a descriptive study?
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It describes the occurrence of an outcome - what happened in a given situation. - They do not attempt to either test hypothesis or offer explanations as to why it happened
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What is an explanatory study?
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A study that describes the association between exposure and outcome.
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What are two types of descriptive studies and why are they used?
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Case Report (single case) Case series (multiple cases) - used to highlight an anomaly or issue - good for hypothesis generation
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What are two types of explanatory studies?
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Observational and Interventional
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What are types of observational studies?
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Cross-sectional (point in time/survey) Ecological (population level aggregation of exposures) Case Control (retrospective comparison of cases vs. non-cases) Cohort Design (prospective comparison based on exposures)
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Why are the 4 types of observational studies used?
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They follow an individual or population, they are quick/slow, cheap/expensive, the identify relations between the exposure and the outcome
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What are types of interventional studies and why are they used?
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Laboratory study Clinical Trials -both offer highly controlled exposures and environments -There is lower confounding and bias and are the best studies to demonstrate "proof"
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What are three basic reasons why you would utilize Case Reports/Series?
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They ID area/issues for future research Identify needs assessment/resource allocation They call attention to a new disease/presentation, treatment success/failure
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What are some advantages of Case Reports/Series?
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- useful for hypothesis generation - information for very rare disease with few established risk factors - characterizes averages for disorders
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What are some disadvantages of Case Reports/Series?
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Cannot study cause and effect relationships Cannot assess disease frequency
