Epidemiology and Field Research Methods, 7.5 credits

Contents

Epidemiology is concerned with the distribution and determinants of health and disease in defined populations with the ultimate aim of controlling and preventing disease occurrence. Epidemiology includes both routine surveillance and research strategies to test hypothesis of the causes of diseases; to measure  risks to health; and to evaluate preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic programs and technologies.

Epidemiology gathers its methodology from a number of fields both within and outside the traditional medical field. A social dimension is needed in public health work and supplementing quantitative epidemiology with qualitative methods may increase understanding of how to effectively prevent disease.
Epidemiology is the basis of prevention, and a challenge lies in bringing epidemiological theory and methodology  closer to public health work and  practice.

The overall aim of the course is to learn the basics of  epidemiological  design, analysis and interpretation, as well as the role of combining quantitative and qualitative approaches in public health research. The course is designed to follow the research process from problem identification , planning and data collection through analysis , interpretation and documentation.

Expected learning outcomes

• Understand the roles of quantitative and qualitative studies in Public Health research.
• Learn the basic requirements of a qualitative study design.
• Conduct an analysis and an interpretation of a qualitative study.
• Be familiar with basic epidemiological concepts.
• Discuss epidemiological study design.
• Analyse and interpret epidemiological and quantitative studies.
• Develop skills in data processing and using software for analysis.
• Critically assess epidemiological research reports.

Required Knowledge

University: 180 academic credits or equivalent.

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted through plenary lectures, group work, group exercises, and computer sessions.

Examination modes

The examination has three parts, actively participate in:

(1) the quantitative and qualitative group work and the lectures
(2) the seminars where the group work is presented and discussed
(3) the final presentation of the whole group work.

Overall grades for the course are: Fail or Pass. In order to be awarded Pass for the entire course it is required that all of the examinations must be Passed.