1. Epidemiologic Methods- Fall 2008

2. Course Administration Format –Lectures: Tuesdays 8:45 – 10:15 am –Small Group Sections: Tuesdays 1:30 pm. Begin next week. Overview of lectures, review of assignments. Group assignment: CB 6702, 6601, 5721 & 5759 (see website) –Journal Clubs: Over lunch hour (begin 9/30); and 12/9 lect. slot Application of lecture concepts to contemporary literature Textbooks, Reading and Software –Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics by Szklo and Nieto (S & N). –Multivariable Analysis: A Practical Guide for Clinicians by M. Katz –Selected other passages –Slide notes from each lecture (see website) –Statistical software: Stata version 10

3. Grading –Based on points achieved on homework (~66%) & final (~33%). –Late assignments are not accepted. –Problem sets: word process your responses files should be pulled from website documents are all-inclusive; no need to lookup articles due at start of section. Missed sessions –All material distributed in class is posted on website.

4. Definitions of Epidemiology The study of the distribution and determinants (causes) of disease –e.g., cardiovascular epidemiology would study risk for various heart diseases Method used to conduct human subject research –the methodologic foundation (“basic science”) of any research where individual humans or groups of humans are the unit of observation

5. Which of the following is the easiest to begin to perform? Clinical practice (e.g., medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy) Epidemiologic/Clinical research (aka human subjects research) Laboratory research

6. Which of the following is the easiest to begin to perform? Clinical practice Epidemiologic/Clinical research (aka human subjects research) Laboratory research Need a degree and a license Need physical lab space and equipment Need idea and a calculator

7. Which of the following is the easiest to perform well? Clinical practice Epidemiologic/Clinical research (aka human subjects research) Laboratory research

8. Which of the following is the easiest to perform well? Clinical practice Epidemiologic/Clinical research (ie human subjects research) Laboratory research All of the above require extensive knowledge and experience to perform well