GC BIO550 – All Discussions and Assignments

WEEK 1

Discussion 1

What were early conceptions of the
cause of disease?

 

Discussion 2

 

Develop or illustrate a timeline of
epidemiologic milestones in public health. What is one of the most significant
milestones to you? Why?

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 2

Discussion 1

 

Describe or illustrate the modes of
transmission of communicable disease in a population. What knowledge should you
take away from this information?

Discussion 2

 

Are host, agent, and environment
equally important in the natural history of disease, or is one feature more
critical than the others? Justify your reasoning.

 

 

WEEK 3

Discussion 1

 

Describe the key features of
descriptive and analytic epidemiology. How are the two used in conjunction with
one another?

Discussion 2

What is a clinical trial? Support
your description with literary rationale. Why do you believe clinical trials
are beneficial?

WEEK 4

 

Discussion 1

 

What is the key feature of a
cross-sectional study? Present the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Select two other peers’ postings and debate their rationale.

Discussion 2

What are the fundamentals of a
case-control study? Present the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Select two other peers’ postings and debate their rationale.

WEEK 5

Discussion 1

 

What is the difference between incidence and prevalence? Present
supportive details in your explanation.

Discussion 2

 

Describe when and why you would use relative risk. Justify your
rationale.

WEEK 6

Discussion 1

 

Does association imply causation? Why or why not?

 

Discussion 2

 

Are weak associations indicative of a noncausal relationship?
Select two other peers postings and debate their rationale.

 

 

 

WEEK 7

Discussion 1

 

Why is it necessary to critique research literature? Justify your
rationale.

 

Discussion 2

 

What is the difference between summarizing and critiquing an
article? Present supportive details in your explanation.

 

WEEK 8

 

Discussion 1

 

Describe a historical event that has shaped current guidelines and
regulations for the ethical conduct of epidemiologic research with human
subjects.

 

 

Discussion 2

 

Describe the key principles, guidelines, and regulations governing
research with human subjects and relate them to the Tuskegee experiment and the
Guatemalan syphilis study.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

WEEK 1

Details:

You are an epidemiologist, and have been asked to speak at Career
Day for Myers College, a community college in your area. The theme of this
year’s Career Day is “Little Known Health Science Fields.”
Epidemiology has been identified as one such field, and you have been tasked
with introducing the science to the students. In 500-750 words, address the
following:

1.
Define epidemiology.

2.
Identify five objectives of epidemiology.

3.
Identify and explain three subspecialties within epidemiology.

Refer to the “Areas of Epidemiology” resource.

You are required to use a minimum of two scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in
the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not
required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using
the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the
rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment
criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to
the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be
submitted to Turnitin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Areas of Epidemiology

If you need a review of the areas of study in Epidemiology view
the resources below.

· View the Epidemiological Specialties Interview on the Videojug
website at http://www.videojug.com/interview/epidemiological-specialties-2

· Explore the About Epidemiology page of the Videojug website at http://www.videojug.com/tag/about-epidemiology

Areas of Epidemiology

· Environmental epidemiology

· Clinical epidemiology

· Genetic epidemiology

· Molecular epidemiology

· Nutritional epidemiology

· Social epidemiology

· Lifecourse epidemiology

· Epi methods development / Biostatistics

· Meta-analysis

· Spatial epidemiology

· Biomarker epidemiology

· Pharmacoepidemiology

· Primary care epidemiology

· Infection control and hospital epidemiology

· Public health practice epidemiology

· Surveillance epidemiology

· Disease informatics

· Infectious disease epidemiology

· Cardiovascular disease epidemiology

· Cancer epidemiology

· Neuroepidemiology

· Epidemiology of aging

· Oral/Dental epidemiology

· Reproductive epidemiology

· Obesity/diabetes epidemiology

· Renal epidemiology

· Injury epidemiology

· Psychiatric epidemiology

· Veterinary epidemiology

· Epidemiology of zoonosis

· Respiratory epidemiology

· Pedia

 

 

 

WEEK 2

 

Details:

The Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) collects and Discussioneminates information about outbreaks of disease.
H1N1, SARS, and West Nile virus are just a few of the disease outbreaks that
the CDC has reported. You have been called upon to lead one of the
investigations. Select a disease outbreak for which you will lead an
investigation.

In a report of 750-1000-words,
present the following information:

1. Identify and describe the necessary steps to be taken
   for an investigation of the disease outbreak.
2. For each of the three prevention levels, provide at
   least two examples of prevention for this disease.
3. Describe the criteria to be met before screening for
   this disease.
4. Describe how the effectiveness of the screening program
   will be evaluated.

You are required to use a minimum of
three scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to
the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success
Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading
rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment;
therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment
to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful
completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this
assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

WEEK 6

 

Details:

Asthma is a chronic lung disease
caused by inflammation of the lower airways and episodes of airflow
obstruction. Asthma episodes or attacks can vary from mild to life-threatening.
In 2007, about 7% percent of the U.S. population was diagnosed with asthma and
there have been a growing number of new cases since that time. There are
several known risk factors identified as triggers of asthma symptoms and
episodes, including inhalation of allergens or pollutants, infection, cold air,
vigorous exercise, and emotional upsets. There is also growing evidence
relating body-mass index to asthma in both children and adults. Design a study
to investigate whether there is such an association.

Choose a study design and justify
the reasons you chose the design over others.

Select a statistical measure you
would use to describe the association (if there is one) between body mass index
and asthma.

In addition, address:

1. Subject selection
2. Issues relating to the measurement of both the exposure
   and the outcome
3. Potential biases that the study might be prone to, and
   how they might be handled
4. Possible confounding factors and effect modifiers and
   how to overcome their effect

Present the information in a
750-1000-word report, using section headings where each requirement is
described and justified under each of the following headings: Study Design,
Statistical Measures, Subject Selection, and Measurement Issues.

Refer to the “Key Elements of a
Research Proposal.”

You are required to use a minimum of
three scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to
the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success
Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading
rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment;
therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment
to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful
completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this
assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Elements of a Research Proposal

If you need a review of study design
components, view the resources below.

Review the Key Elements page of the
Research Methods Knowledge Base website athttp://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/guideelements.php

Key Elements of a Research Proposal

Background / purpose / rationale of
the study

Literature review

Hypothesis/key questions

Research objectives

Research methods

• Study design
• Statistical bias
• Procedures/timeline
  • Specific steps to be taken to complete the study
  • Instruments/data collection methods
  • Outcomes
• Proposed data analysis plan
  • Statistical analyses planned
  • Power analysis if appropriate
• Data safety monitoring if appropriate

Study participants

• Description of participates
• Recruitment of participates
• Confidentiality/human subject’s
  protection/legal-ethical issues (if appropriate)
• Sampling / rationale
  • Inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Number of subjects

Statistical Analysis (only if
applicable)

Anticipated Results and Potential
Pitfalls

Implications for Practice

Adapted from “Key Elements of a
Social Science Research Proposal: Statement of Research Plan” by the Office of
Research at Northwestern University atwww.research.northwestern.edu

 

 

 

WEEK 7

 

Details:

Healthy People 2020 is a framework
to assist communities in preventing disease and promoting health. Search the
scientific literature and find a research study related to one of the focus
areas identified by Healthy People 2020.

In a 750-1000-word essay, critically
appraise the study by answering each of the following questions:

1. What is the study question and is it relevant?
2. Does the study add anything new?
3. What type of research question is being asked?
4. Was the study design appropriate for the research
   question?
5. Did the study methods address the most important
   potential sources of bias?
6. Was the study performed according to the original
   protocol?
7. Does the study test a stated hypothesis? If so, what is
   it?
8. Does the data justify the conclusions?
9. Are there any conflicts of interest?
10. There are methodological points to consider in
    appraising literature that are specific to cross-sectional, cohort,
    case-control, clinical trials, and case studies. Based on the design of
    this study, what are the key methodical points to consider?

You are required to use a minimum of
three scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to
the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success
Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading
rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment;
therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment
to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful
completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this
assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

WEEK 8
Details:

One of the goals of Healthy People
2020 is to reduce health disparities among populations. Select one of the
leading health indicators as identified by Healthy People 2020 and write a
research paper of 750-1,000 words on the health disparities related to that
condition. For the health indicator selected, the paper should include a
discussion on the following:

Health Problem

1. Definition of the problem
2. Descriptive epidemiology (person, place, time)
3. Etiology (causes, risk factors)

Health Disparities

1. What disparities do we know exist for this disease?
2. Why do these disparities exist?
3. What explanations have been offered or supported?
4. What research questions have not been studied that may
   provide new, insightful information regarding this health problem?

Public Policy

1. Why is it an important public health problem?
2. What are some social, political, or economic barriers
   in our current health care system that impede disease prevention and
   health promotion for this health problem?
3. How would you educate/Discussioneminate information
   about this health problem to the public? (target group, financial
   constraints)
4. How could one of a health administrator/manager’s
   general policies or policies specific to this health condition impact the
   health status of the target population?

You are required to use a minimum of
three scholarly resources.

Prepare this assignment according to
the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success
Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading
rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment;
therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment
to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful
completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this
assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.