Epidemiology

PUBH6005_Assessment Brief # 2_Assessemnt Assignment_Due week 6 Page 1 of 3

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Adelaide = 11:25pm).

Context:

This assignment covers learning topics from Module 2.1 and 2.2

PUBH6005: Epidemiology Assignment

This assessment is aimed at consolidating the students understanding of Module 2 content

By prescribing this assessment, students are able to reflect on their understanding of study

design, sampling and population risk

ASSESSMENT 2 - Quiz

Subject Code and Name PUBH6005 Epidemiology

Assessment Assignment

Individual/Group Individual

Length 1000 words (+/- 10%)

Learning Outcomes This assessment addresses the following subject learning

outcomes:

• Differentiate between different types of research designs, including observation and experimental and mixed methods designs

• Assess levels of evidence and make recommendations

Submission Week 6 Sunday 11:55pm AEST

Weighting 30%

Total Marks 100 marks

PUBH6005_Assessment Brief # 2_Assessemnt Assignment_Due week 6 Page 2 of 3

Instructions:

This assignment has two parts. PART 1 involves reading three research articles, and applying

what you have learned about epidemiological measures and study design to answer a series

of short answer questions. PART 2 requires you to consider several health issues and decide

the most appropriate study design for investigating that health issue.

Students are to log in to their Blackboard account and complete the assignment in the

prescribed link on the Blackboard page.

PART 1

The Whitehall study is a ground-breaking longitudinal (prospective cohort) study that clearly

demonstrated the association between social determinants of health (the social gradient)

and morbidity and mortality (cardiovascular disease) in a population of British civil servants

(Breeze et al., 2001; Chandola et al., 2008; Marmot et al., 1978).

Read these papers and answer the following questions.

1. What is the sampling frame for each phase of the Whitehall study (Whitehall I and

II)? (5 marks)

2. How was disease risk assessed (both in data collection and analysis) in each of the

three studies and why? (15 marks)

3. To what extent can the results of each of the three studies be generalised to other

populations (include reasons for your answer)? (10 marks)

4. Would it be feasible to conduct a similar study in Australia using an existing cohort

such as the 45 and up study cohort or the Australian Women’s longitudinal study

cohort? Why or why not? (20 marks)

PART 2 For each of the following scenarios identify the best study design to explore each health

issue and explain your reason for choosing this study design. Include an explanation of

advantages and disadvantages of using the selected study design and include any ethical

considerations. Support your reasons with justification and referenced examples of research

studies.

1. Causal relationship between lung cancer and smoking (10 marks)

2. Association between depression and binge eating in a population of obese

adolescents and adults (10 marks)

3. Long term effects of detention on the mental and physical health of asylum

seekers (10 marks)

PUBH6005_Assessment Brief # 2_Assessemnt Assignment_Due week 6 Page 3 of 3

4. Relationship between folate supplementation during pregnancy and development of

autism in offspring (10 marks)

5. Testing of a drug for use in elderly people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (10

marks)

Submission Instructions:

Access assignment link on Blackboard under Assessment 2 – Assignment via Assessment in

main navigation menu in Blackboard. The assignment questions are embedded in

Blackboard and you can submit your answers directly into Blackboard.

Assessment Criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of the appropriate use of epidemiological study

designs

• Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge to the strengths and

weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs

• Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge of study design

characteristics to select the most appropriate to the study question

• General assessment criteria:

o Shows a sophisticated understanding of the key issues

o Shows ability to interpret relevant information and literature in relation to

chosen topic

o Demonstrates a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts

o Shows evidence of reading beyond the required readings

o Justifies any conclusions reached with well-formed arguments and not

merely assertions

• Correctly uses academic writing, presentation and grammar:

o Complies with academic standards of legibility, referencing and

bibliographical details (including reference list)

o Writes clearly, with accurate spelling and grammar as well as proper

sentence and paragraph construction

o Uses appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research