Full Description
Dispelling the myth that the discipline is intimidating, Introduction to Epidemiology for the Health Sciences is approachable from start to finish, providing foundational knowledge for students new to epidemiology. Its focus on critical thinking allows readers to become competent consumers of health literature, equipping them with skills that transfer to various health sciences and other professional workplaces. The text is structured to take the reader on a journey: each chapter opens with a scientific question before exploring the epidemiological tools available to address it. A conversation tool with representative students clarifies common points of confusion in the classroom, encouraging learners to ask questions to deepen their understanding. Example boxes feature contemporary local and global cases, often with step-by-step workings, while explanation boxes provide further clarification of complex topics. Authored by epidemiology and public health educators, this engaging textbook provides all readers with the skills they need to develop their own epidemiology toolkit.
Contents
Part I. Thinking Like an Epidemiologist: 1. Thinking critically, problem solving and setting priorities in epidemiology; Part II. Analysing: How Big is the Health Issue?: 2. Talking like an epidemiologist; 3. Making comparisons; Part III. Reasoning: How to Investigate Causes of Death and Ill-health: 4. Opening the epidemiological toolbox; 5. Describing the problem; Part IV. Problem-solving: Why Do Some People Get a Disease, Become Ill, or Get Better?: 6. Measuring exposure and the outcome together; 7. Starting with the outcome; 8. Starting with exposure; 9. Controlling exposure; Part V. Evaluating: Is There a Relationship between Exposure and the Outcome?: 10. Detecting a relationship; Part VI. Decision-making: Could the Relationship be True?: 11. Considering the effect of bias and confounding; 12. Bringing it together.
