Final Paper

This Final Paper involves the critical review and analysis of a published epidemiological research study, using the epidemiological concepts covered in Modules 1–6. You do not choose your own study; your Instructor will provide the research study to review and analyze. The audience for this 5–8-page scholarly paper is other epidemiological researchers.

The Final Paper must include, but is not limited to, the following:

Part I. Study Summary (2–3 pages)

(Note: this summary must be in your own words)

· The study objective/research question

· Primary exposure(s) and outcome(s) of interest

· Identification of study design

· Description of study population and the sampling/selection process

· Description of the statistical analysis used and the primary measures of association reported

· Identification of potential confounders (if any) and the technique used to minimize them or analyze their effects

· Identification of potential effect modifiers (if any) and the technique used to analyze their effects

· Summary of major study results

Part II. Critical Analysis (3–5 pages)

· Discussion of random error and how it might have affected the results

· Explanation of possible selection bias and how it might have affected the results, including a discussion of the size and direction of any possible bias

· Explanation of possible misclassification (information) bias and how it might have affected the results, including a discussion of the size and direction of any possible bias

· Evaluation of the other limitations of the study

· Critique of the discussion section of the paper and whether it adequately addresses the strengths and limitations of the study

· Description of the potential generalizability of the study results

· Critique of the authors’ conclusions and whether or not they are appropriate given the study findings

· Descriptions of future studies that would be appropriate given the study findings