• BIOL3904
• Research Methods1:Epidemiology

This module is essentially a primer in epidemiological methodology. A knowledge and understanding of the different study designs in epidemiology which are both descriptive and analytical in nature is envisaged. Such study designs will also include systematic reviews and meta-analysis.The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the function of nutrition and dietetics throughout the life cycle in a variety of social and cultural settings.This course will give students a detailed understanding, of the nutritional components and multi-factorial nature of disease aetiology. Also, from this module students should develop an understanding of the role of epidemiology in research, clinical trials, disease monitoring and public health, as well as an ability to critique and evaluate research findings.

The aim of this module is to enable the learner to become more selective and critical in his/her thinking and interpretation of data and being able to distinguish association and causality. The learner should also be able to see the context for epidemiology in human health and disease and its investigation into its nutritional relations.

Community concept and Demography - Structure and dynamics of a population - Comparison between developed and developing countries. Demographic transition.
Concepts of incidence and prevalence of disease.
Looking at the contribution of nutrition, genetics, socio-demographic factors and other environmental factors in relation to a number of chronic diseases.
Epidemiological Methodology - Descriptive, analytical retrospective, prospective and intervention study methodologies. These will include interventions at both the individual and community (ecological) level. The differing methodologies will be illustrated and supported by examples from the literature of nutrient related diseases. The study designs examined will also include systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
Sources of information relating to diseases.
Disease Prevention - Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention approaches.
Design and use of screening programmes and their epidemiological evaluation.
Epidemiology and its role in relation to public health.
The role of ethics in research.