Module overview
This module focuses on the basic epidemiological methods and approaches that underpin an evidence-based approach to public health research and practice. The module covers each of the main types of epidemiological study design and provides a framework for critically assessing each method, differentiating association from causation. The module includes sessions on epidemiological study designs, chance, bias, confounding, measures of disease frequency and risk estimation and hypothesis testing. The module also provides guidance as to how to critically appraise published studies.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Observational and interventional epidemiological study designs for a range of health-related issues and basic concepts of causal inference.
- How to calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency including prevalence and incidence rates and risk.
- The role of chance, bias and confounding in explaining associations and be able to describe ways to deal with confounding and bias.
- Interpretation of statistical estimation, hypothesis tests and inference to epidemiological data.
- Calculating and interpreting measures of association and effect size (odds ratios, relative and absolute risk, population attributable risk and number needed to treat).
- Prevention and screening
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critique epidemiological research evidence demonstrating the knowledge and ability to appraise scientific validity.
- Evaluate the sources of bias in epidemiological studies including information bias and selection bias.
- Identify the key sources of epidemiological and public health data and evaluate different types of study design and problems of measurement.
- Understand the difference between association and causation.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Discuss ideas and scrutinize information in critical, evaluative and analytical ways.
- Communicate epidemiological concepts, data and information.
- Use problem solving skills for a range of situations.
Syllabus
Definition and application of the epidemiological approach
- Health and disease causation
- Understanding rates and risk
- Chance, bias, and confounding
- Observational study designs: Cohort, case-control, cross-sectional and ecological
- Experimental study designs: Randomised and non-randomised, systematic review
- Critical appraisal
- Prevention strategies
- Principles of screening
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
A variety of methods will be used including lectures, active participatory methods, e-learning/interactive tools for learning and self-assessment, practical exercises, guided reading, group study and individual study.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 30 |
| Independent Study | 120 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The assessment includes both formative and summative elements. There will be two components to the summative assessment i) MCQ exam and ii) written critical appraisal, and one component to the formative assessment i) formative quiz. The pass mark for the module and each summative assessment component is 50%. If you have failed the module, the Board of Examiners may offer you the opportunity to submit work at the next referral (re-sit) for components where you have not achieved the pass mark. Marks for components that were passed will be carried forward. You must achieve the pass mark in all referred components. On passing your referrals, your final module mark will be capped at 50%.
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Quiz
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Marks and review of questions in session.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written critical appraisal | 50% |
| MCQ-applied knowledge assessment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written critical appraisal | 50% |
| MCQ-applied knowledge assessment | 50% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice Test | 50% |
| Written critical appraisal | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External