Study Designs in Epidemiology

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on epidemiological study designs.

Epidemiologic Study Design

Arrangement of conditions for the collection and analysis of data to provide accurate answers to research questions.

Descriptive Studies

Studies that describe what, who, when, and where; useful for generating new hypotheses.

Analytic Studies

Studies that analyze how and why certain health outcomes occur.

Observational Studies

Studies where the investigator observes without intervening.

Intervention Studies

Studies where the investigator intervenes by changing conditions or introducing exposure.

Prospective Studies

Studies where data collection occurs forward in time.

Retrospective Studies

Studies that look backward in time to examine past events.

Qualitative Studies

Studies that generate textual data; also referred to as exploratory studies.

Quantitative Studies

Studies that generate numerical data; also known as explanatory studies.

Ecological Studies

Hypothesis generating studies using group-level data to assess correlations between two factors.

Case-Control Study

An observational design comparing a group with a health problem to a control group without the problem.

Cohort Study

Studies comparing individuals exposed to a risk factor with those not exposed, following them over time.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Experimental study where subjects are randomly assigned to treatment and control groups to test causal hypotheses.

Quasi-Experimental Studies

Studies without randomization or control groups, often assessing naturally occurring changes.

Hypothesis

A supposition based on observation that can be tested and potentially accepted or rejected.

Ecological Fallacy

Error in reasoning when inferring individual characteristics based on group data.

Null Hypothesis

A statement asserting there is no difference or effect, used as a basis for statistical testing.

Research Hypothesis

A statement suggesting an expected relationship or effect that the research aims to validate.