Epidemiology 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

POPH90142 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods 1
POPH90143 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods 2

OR

Students are expected to be familiar with the statistical package Stata

POPH90146 Study Design in Epidemiology
POPH90147 Epidemiology in Practice

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

This subject is a core subject within the Master of Epidemiology and the Master of Science (Epidemiology) and an elective within the Master of Public Health and Master of Environment.

It covers the main experimental and observational study designs used in epidemiological research: These will include randomised controlled trials including the variants of trials, cohort studies, case-control studies including the variants of nested case-control studies, case-cohort studies and case-crossover studies and ecological studies.

Causal diagrams are introduced as a unifying means for identifying confounding and selection bias and interpreting associations. Other topics include: measurement error, effect modification and validity of the findings.

Skills in critically appraising findings from research will build on the base of Epidemiology one. Students will apply their knowledge to designing studies with the aim of investigating topical problems in public health.

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

• Design trials and observational studies with due regard to choosing a design to answer a specific research question, minimising bias, achieving adequate sample size and feasibility
• Compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of the above study designs
• Critically appraise reports of trials and observational studies including assessing any residual confounding and the clinical or public health implications of any effect modification
• Use the published guidelines for the reporting of studies to assist with designing and appraising studies
• Assess reliability and validity of study measures and describe strategies to minimise measurement error
• Perform basic sample size calculations

• One 1000 word assignment due in the fourth week of the teaching period (20%)
• One 2000 word assignment due two weeks after teaching period ends (40%)
• 2 hour examination held during the examination period (40%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.