Computer Lab Tutorial 1 Handout PDF

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Contains questions and answers to help with the tutorial one work of the computer lab....

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Tutorial 1 Handout Working in small groups please answer the following questions: What are the 4 important elements of definition of ‘Epidemiology’ and briefly describe what each means? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Disease – study of Distribution Determinants – risk factors, exposures, interventions Application of knowledge

Epi - Upon Demi – People/population Ology – The study of

In general, what is the usual purpose of an ‘Epidemiologic’ study? What is the role of ‘Biostatics’ in this process? Epidemiologic: Link between exposure, event, and outcome. This is done by comparing different groups. 

Generally comparing groups of people to other groups of people

Biostatistics: Analysis of data from something

Is it necessary to know how ‘Epidemiologic’ studies are done, why or why not? 

Yes, to see if they are valid (accurate). o To see if it is reliable (making sure it is consistent)

A study by academic researchers concluded ‘Students studying Astronomy were more likely to be stressed than those studying Statistics in first year of their university studies’. Following ‘How a study may be designed’ (in Lecture 1A) briefly list the steps these academic researchers would have followed to arrive at such conclusion? 1. Research question (make sure to add ? at the end of the question) 2. Formulate hypothesis 3. Search published literature

4. Plan a study a. Study design b. Define population of interest – then choose sample c. Gather and collect data (surveys, interviews, take blood pressure) 5. Data Entry and cleaning 6. Make sense of the data (create graphs and tables) 7. Choose suitable stats to analyse (to answer research question) 8. Conclude studies and make sure its valid

Given the definition of epidemiology, it is clear that the focus is on ‘groups of people’ and these make up a “Population”, which may be literally the population of a country, but more commonly it is more specific ‘Target Population’ or ‘Population of interest’. Can you come up with five examples of populations that you may be interested in as a health professional:   

Smokers aged 18 – 35 in Western Australia Astrology students at Curtin university Cancer patients between then age of 40 – 50 in Perth...