Epidemiology and Biostatistics Review

Question 1

Epidemiology is the study of:

(1) of the distribution and determinants of health related states and events in specified populations.
(2) The distribution and determinants of diseases in global population.
(3) The data-driven study of the distribution and determinants of health related states and events.

Answer 1

Epidemiology is the study of (1) The distribution and determinants of health related states and events in the specified populations.

Question 2

When studying something from an epidemiological approach, the FIRST thing to address is the:

(1) Clinical question
(2) results
(3) data
(4) conclusions

Answer 2

(1) Clinical question

Question 3

Experimental studies involve:

1) Randomized clinical trials.
(2) descriptive (hypothesis forming
(3) analytic (hypothesis testinG)

Answer 3

Experimental studies involve (1) randomized clinical trials.

Question 4

Observational studies include:

1) Randomized clinical trials
(2) descriptive studies (hypothesis forming
(3) analytic studies (hypothesis testing)

Answer 4

Observational studies include (2) descriptive studies and (3) analytic studies.

Question 5

Case reports, case series, cross sectional studies, cast control studies and cohort studies are all examples of:

(1) pooled data
(2) experimental data
(3) observational data

Answer 5

(3) observational data

Question 6

Randomized clinical trials are examples of:

(1) pooled data
(2) experimental data
(3) observational data

Answer 6

(2) experimental data

Question 7

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis are both examples of pooled data.

Answer 7

True.

Question 8

The type of study that is the most valid, but least feasible

(1) analytical study, RCT
(2) observational study, case-control.
(3) descriptive study, case report

Answer 8

The type of study that is the most valid, but least feasible is (1) analytical study, RCT

Question 9

The type of study that is the least valid but most feasible is:

(1) descriptive study, ecologic study
(2) analytical study, retrospective cohort study
(3) descriptive study, case report

Answer 9

The type of study that is the least valid but most feasible is (3) descriptive study, case report.

Question 10

The main advantage of a case report (descriptive study) is:

(1) it is randomized
(2) it is controlled for bias
(3) it is ideal for rare diseases or unusual events.
(4) It does not formulate hypotheses.

Answer 10

The main advantage of a case report (descriptive study) is:

(3) it is ideal for rare diseases or unusual events.

Question 11

An ecologic study is a study of a groupo characteristic. Its disadvantage is:

(1) IT cannot compare disease frequencies.
(2) It does not allow for trend analysis.
(3) Ecologic fallacy - cannot describe individual characteristic.

Answer 11

An ecologic study is a study of a group characteristic. Its disadvantage is (3) ecologic fallacy - cannot describe an individual characteristic.

Question 12

A cross sectional study is used to:

Answer 12

Investigate the etiology of a disease AND measure exposure and outcome simultaneously.

Question 13

A cross sectional study is able to:

(1) show the prevalence of disease.
(2) establish a temporal relationship
(3) Measure incidence

Answer 13

A cross sectional study is able to (1) show the prevalence of disease.

Question 14

T/F: analytic epidemiological studies include a comparison group.

Answer 14

True.

Question 15

T/F: comparison is key in epidemiology.

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

The type of study that has disadvantages of selection bias, cannot determine incidence and there is incomplete information on exposure.

Answer 16

Case-Control Study

Question 17

When selecting cases for a study:

(1) Criteria for case definition does not have to lead to accurate classification of disease.
(2) Cases must be chosen independently of exposure.
(3) Cases can only be from hospital data.

Answer 17

When selecting cases for a study, (2) cases must be chosen independently of exposure.

Question 18

The type of study where individuals with an exposure of interest are compared; and incidence and relative risk can be determined.

Answer 18

Cohort study.

Question 19

Relative risk is the:

Answer 19

Ratio of the incidence rate of disease or health outcome in the EXPOSED group to the incidence rate of disease or health condition in the unexposed group.

Question 20

T/F: randomization eliminates chance imbalance in prognostic variables, especially in small samples, but does equally distribute chance imbalance.

Answer 20

True.

Question 21

Bias is the systematic deviation from the underlying truth because of a feature of the design or conduct of a research study.

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

Blindness eliminates __.

Answer 22

Bias.

Question 23

A double blind study is:

Answer 23

Blindness of the patient/participant and the valuator.

Question 24

The type of bias that eliminates bias the most:

Answer 24

triple-blind bias.

Question 25

Blindness is always possible, and treatment allocation does not affect blindness.

Answer 25

False.

Question 26

A disadvantage to a randomized clinical trial is:

Answer 26

Internal validity may not generalize if too focused.