Epidemiological Studies
A Practical Guide

An accessible practical introduction to epidemiology in medical research.

Alan J. Silman (Author), Gary J. Macfarlane (Author)

9780521810975, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 June 2002

256 pages, 20 b/w illus. 20 tables 20 exercises
25.7 x 18 x 2.1 cm, 0.686 kg

'… this book could serve as a good, easy to read, textbook on epidemiological research.' European Journal of Public Health

Following on in the footsteps of its acclaimed and popular predecessor, this new edition builds on the successful features that engaged readers of the first edition: it explains the principles and practice of epidemiology and serves as a handbook for those who wish to do epidemiology; it uses relevant exercises and examples, taken from real life, to illustrate how to set up a study; it aims to help produce valid results that will satisfy grant bodies, ethical committees and journal editors; ultimately it bridges the gap between theory and practice. By making the subject so easily accessible, it will be an excellent introduction for anyone who is training in epidemiology and public health, and for all those involved in medical research. This edition includes numerous improvements and several new chapters which will further enhance its appeal.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Scope of epidemiological enquiry and overview of main problem areas
Part II. Measuring the Occurrence of Disease: 2. Which measure of disease occurrence?
3. Comparing rates: between and within populations
Part III. Studying Associations between Risk Factors and Disease: 4. Which type of study?
5. Which measure of association?
Part IV. Selection of Populations and Samples to Study: 6. Studies of disease occurrence I: identification of the population
7. Studies of disease occurrence II: assessing disease status in study populations
8. Studies of disease causation I: Selection of subjects for case-control studies
9. Studies of disease causation II: Selection of subjects for cohort (longitudinal) studies
Part V. Information from Epidemiological Studies: 10. Collecting information
11. Obtaining valid information
12. Repeatability
13. Maximising participation
14. Conducting a pilot study
Part VI. Analysis and Interpretation of Epidemiological Data: 15. Preparation of survey data for statistical analysis
16. Introductory data analysis I: descriptive epidemiology
17. Introductory data analysis II: analytical epidemiology
18. Confounding
19. Bias
Part VII. Other Practical Issues: 20. Ethical issues in epidemiology
21. The costs of epidemiological studies
Index.

Subject Areas: Epidemiology & medical statistics [MBNS]