EPIDEMIOLOGY : DESIGNING A STUDY: THE STEPS AND DECISIONS

M4A1: Designing a Study: The Steps and the Decisions
Points 100 Submitting a text entry box or a file upload

This week you learned how epidemiologic studies are categorized, and were provided a more in depth look into experimental, ecologic, and cross sectional studies. You have also learned strengths and weaknesses of those study designs, and can calculate two types of measures of association. By the end of this activity you will be able to identify how to appropriately design different types of epidemiologic studies.

Before beginning this activity, read the module notes and the sections of your text. This activity will walk you through designing studies you learned about this module. You will be asked key questions specific to finalizing hypotheses for study, data collection, and analyses. Almost all of the questions are short answer. However, some questions require calculations. Remember to show your work as partial credit will be given.

Attached is an activity worksheet that you will complete and submit to this assignment area when you are done. Be sure to save your worksheet to your computer before answering the questions. Then follow the instructions below.

Compose your work using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Submit Assignment” in the upper right corner. Click on “Browse,” browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to the Browse button. Enter your comments, if any, in the Comments area. Click on “Submit Assignment.”

This assignment will be graded using the rubric displayed below. Please review this rubric prior to beginning your work. You can also access the rubric on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here module. This assignment is worth 30% of your final course grade.

Participation in this assignment addresses the following outcomes:

Recognize how epidemiologic studies are characterized (CO 6)
Calculate a measure of association for a randomized control trial and a cross sectional study (CO 4)
Interpret measures of associations for a randomized control trial and a cross sectional study (CO 5)