Types of research and epidemiologic studies

Module 3 Part 1

Types of research and epidemiologic studies

Training course in research methodology and research protocol development 2021

September 20, 2021 - Geneva

Assignment (20 marks in total)

Question 1 (10 marks)

1.1. Examine the ten articles you retrieved in Week 2 and identify the study designs used? (5 marks)

1.2. What study design do you propose for your chosen research topic and question? Why? (5 marks)

Question 2 (4 marks)

Read the abstract of the cohort study below.

Manson JE, Greenland P, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Mouton CP, Oberman A, et al. Walking Compared with Vigorous Exercise for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002 Sep 5;347(10):716–25.

Answer the following questions:

2.1. What were the characteristics common to the study participants, that is, the cohort? (1.5 mark)

2.2. What exposures of interest were compared? (1.5 mark)

2.3. What was the outcome of interest? (1 mark)

Question 3 (6 marks)

Read the abstract of the case-control study below.

Heit JA, Silverstein MD, Mohr DN, Petterson TM, O’Fallon WM, Melton LJ. Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Mar 27;160(6):809-15.

Answer the following questions:

3.1. Mention four independent and important risk exposures for venous thromboembolism (VTE) identified by the authors? (2 marks)

3.2. Which variables were used to match the cases and controls? Why is matching necessary in a case control study? (4 marks)