Study Design in Epidemiology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Students must have either 505-969 and 505-970 or 505-102 and 505-101

This subject covers the main epidemiological study designs in detail. Methodological issues in study design will be illustrated using practical examples and critical appraisal. The following designs will be covered: trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and ecological studies including selection of participants, measurement of exposure and outcome and overview of analytical techniques. Causal inference from epidemiological studies will also be covered.

• Understand the design principles of randomised controlled trials, cluster
• randomised trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and ecological studies
• Understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of each design
• Understand how appropriate design, conduct and analysis of studies can minimise the effects of
• selection bias, information bias, confounding and chance
• Be able to identify the most appropriate study design to answer a specific research question
• Be able to use published guidelines for the reporting of trials and observational studies
• Be able to critique the design and analysis of published trials and observational studies
• Know the importance of sample size in minimising the play of chance
• Be able to calculate sample sizes for simple designs
• Understand the factors that affect generalisability (external validity)

One 1250 word assignment due after the third contact day (25%)
One assignment of up to 2,500 words (45%) due a few weeks after the teaching block
A 1.5 hour examination (30%) to be held in the University examination period.

Rothman KJ, Greenland S, Lash TL. Modern Epidemiology. (3rd edition) Lippincott-Raven: Philadelphia 2008

Kelsey JL, Whittemore AS, Evans AS, Thompson WD. Methods in observational epidemiology. (2nd edition) Oxford: New York 1996

Elwood M. Critical appraisal of epidemiological studies and clinical trials. (3rd edition) Oxford, Oxford 2007

Kirkwood BR, Sterne JAC. Essential medical statistics. (2nd edition) Blackwell Science: Melbourne 2003

Webb P, Bain C, Pirozzo S. Essential epidemiology. Cambridge: Melbourne 2005

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Have the critical thinking skills and sufficient understanding of epidemiological frameworks to recognise, describe and appraise research designs
• Have an advanced understanding of the language and terminology used in epidemiological research
• Develop skills in written communication including the description and appraisal of epidemiological study designs
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and prioritise tasks set outside the contact period.
• Develop inter-professional, team working skills

This subject is a group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.