Epidemiology for Child Health (CCH)

Module Lead: Professor Claire Thorne

Core for Community Child Health pathway - 15 Credits

Aims

To introduce students to the basic concepts and methods of epidemiology and data analysis, particularly in relation to child health. To help students think about population child health, to read papers and interpret study findings critically, and to draw inferences from data.

To provide students with the tools to develop their own research interests.

Outline

The basics of epidemiological research design, analysis and interpretation are introduced. Topics covered include: defining cases and populations; types of study (observational and experimental); measures of disease frequency, association and impact (calculation and interpretation); error, bias and confounding (controlling and measuring); and interpretation of findings (association and causation). Other topics introduced include screening, surveillance and ethics; questionnaire design; and qualitative research methods.

Method of assessment

MCQ and short question test 2 hours