Epidemiological studies
Epidemiological Studies
Epidemiological studies (pronunciation: /ˌepɪˌdiːmiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈstʌdiz/) are research investigations that study the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. The term is derived from the Greek words epi (upon), demos (people), and logos (study).
Epidemiological studies are the cornerstone of public health, and shape policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. They are used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom disease has already developed.
Types of Epidemiological Studies
There are two main types of epidemiological studies: observational studies and experimental studies.
- Observational studies are those in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured. No attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given). Examples of observational studies include cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies.
- Experimental studies are those in which the researcher manipulates some of the participants' experiences. Examples include randomized controlled trials.
Related Terms
- Epidemiology: The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
- Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
- Cohort Studies: A type of observational study that follows a group of people (a cohort) over time.
- Case-Control Studies: A type of observational study in which two existing groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute.
- Cross-Sectional Studies: A type of observational study that analyzes data from a population, or a representative subset, at a specific point in time.
- Randomized Controlled Trials: A type of scientific experiment that aims to reduce bias when testing a new treatment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Epidemiological studies
- Wikipedia's article - Epidemiological studies
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski