Keywords

General description

The course introduces the main research methods used in epidemiology and is a follow-up course for HEAAC03 Basic Epidemiology.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student will
- be familiar with the principles of selecting an appropriate study design to assess occurrence and etiology of public health problems
- be cognizant of the concepts underlying use of cohort, case-control and clinical trial designs
- understand the strengths and limitations of major epidemiologic study designs
- be able to identify sources of bias in epidemiologic studies and be familiar with methods to minimize such biases.
- be able to critically review existing epidemiologic literature and interpret the results of a particular study after considering potential sources of errors, including bias and confounding.
- be able to consider the limitations of a particular study in the context of other research in the field
- be able to write a structured research plan

Contents

Epidemiologic concepts, epidemiologic study designs, assessment of sources of error and causal relations will be covered at more advanced level compared with courses “KATEA001 Epidemiologian perusteet” and “HEAAC03 Basic epidemiology”. This course also includes practical exercises.

Further information on prerequisites and recommendations

Participation in lectures, practicals and writing a research plan for a proposed epidemiologic study.

Teaching methods

Teaching method	Contact	Online
Lectures
Independent work
Exercises

Lectures, practicals, homework assignments, course readings.

Teaching language

English

Lectures are in English, practicals may be offered in both English and Finnish.

Evaluation and evaluation criteria

Numeric 1-5.
The research plan will be assessed on scale 1-5, based on the public health importance of the topic, background and rationale for the proposed study, clarity in the formulation of the study question, appropriateness of the methods and selected study design, feasibility of conducting the study, and overall clarity of the research plan.

Study materials

Announced in the Teaching schedule.

Further information

The course is organized every other year.

Belongs to following study modules