Module overview
This module focuses on a range of epidemiological methods, concepts and approaches beyond those taught in the Foundations of Epidemiology course, to interpret advanced quantitative methods used in epidemiological studies, and to apply these methods in research and practice.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Concept of effect modification, distinguish effect modification from confounding and describe importance of effect modification in generalising results from studies.
- Concept of causal inference and use directed acyclic graphs to represent possible causal pathways
- Problems caused by missing data and describe mechanisms of how missing data arise.
- Study designs and how to design a study
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe challenges in observational epidemiology that limit ability to establish causal effects.
- Evaluate different types of study design and problems with measurement
- Evaluate sources of bias and confounding in epidemiological studies
- Interpret advanced quantitative methods used in epidemiological studies
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use problem solving skills for a range of situations
- Communicate epidemiological concepts, data and information.
- Discuss ideas and scrutinize information in critical, evaluative and analytical ways
Syllabus
How to design epidemiological studies
- Advanced concepts on bias and confounding
- Approaches to drawing causal inferences
- Directed Acyclic Graphs
- Complex interventions
- Study power in the context of epidemiological studies
- Prediction
- Missingness and imputation
- Meta-analysis in epidemiology
- How to write epidemiological papers
- Data collection instruments
- Effect modification
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 one component to the summative assessment - written individual research funding proposal, and two components to the formative assessment i) group oral presentation and ii) PICO, title and study design for the individual research funding proposal. The pass mark for the summative assessment is 50%. 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.
Research proposal
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written feedback.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Group presentation
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Verbal feedback to the group. Individual written feedback.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: Yes
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written Individual Research Funding Proposal | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written Individual Research Funding Proposal | 100% |