Epidemiology – Study Types and Descriptive Studies – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
Why are studies undertaken?
answer
To demonstrate a link (relationship or association) between a condition/agent and disease. They can also help direct how the investigation is conducted
question
What is a prospective study?
answer
Prospective studies looks forward, following individuals or populations through time, in real time
question
What is a retrospective study?
answer
A study that looks back in time to study events that have already happened
question
What is a descriptive study?
answer
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
question
What is an explanatory study?
answer
A study that describes the association between exposure and outcome.
question
What are two types of descriptive studies and why are they used?
answer
Case Report (single case) Case series (multiple cases) - used to highlight an anomaly or issue - good for hypothesis generation
question
What are two types of explanatory studies?
answer
Observational and Interventional
question
What are types of observational studies?
answer
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)
question
Why are the 4 types of observational studies used?
answer
They follow an individual or population, they are quick/slow, cheap/expensive, the identify relations between the exposure and the outcome
question
What are types of interventional studies and why are they used?
answer
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"
question
What are three basic reasons why you would utilize Case Reports/Series?
answer
They ID area/issues for future research Identify needs assessment/resource allocation They call attention to a new disease/presentation, treatment success/failure
question
What are some advantages of Case Reports/Series?
answer
- useful for hypothesis generation - information for very rare disease with few established risk factors - characterizes averages for disorders
question
What are some disadvantages of Case Reports/Series?
answer
Cannot study cause and effect relationships Cannot assess disease frequency
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New