Question 1

Describe the steps involved in epidemiological research.

Accepted Answer

Epidemiological research involves several key steps to investigate the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. These steps include:

1. Formulating a research question: The first step in epidemiological research is to clearly define the research question or hypothesis that will guide the study. This may involve identifying a specific health outcome or disease of interest, as well as potential risk factors or exposures to be investigated.

2. Study design: Once the research question is established, researchers must determine the most appropriate study design to address the question. This may involve conducting observational studies (such as cohort or case-control studies) or experimental studies (such as randomized controlled trials).

3. Data collection: Researchers collect data on the relevant variables, including the health outcome, potential risk factors, and other relevant demographic and clinical information. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, or medical record reviews, depending on the study design.

4. Data analysis: After data collection is complete, researchers analyze the data to assess the relationship between the exposure and outcome of interest. This may involve statistical methods to quantify the strength of association and assess for potential confounding factors.

5. Interpretation of findings: Once the data analysis is complete, researchers interpret the findings in the context of the research question and existing literature. This may involve discussing the implications of the findings for public health and clinical practice.

6. Dissemination of results: Finally, researchers communicate their findings through scientific publications, presentations at conferences, and other means of dissemination. This allows the broader scientific community to review and critique the research and incorporate the findings into evidence-based practice.

Question 2

The tracing of sexual partners for those individuals first showing symptoms of AIDS suggested that people were,in fact,___________ .

Accepted Answer

A) hosts 
B) vehicles 
C) vectors 
D) victims 
E) agents A

Question 3

The first identified instance of a medical problem is called the

Accepted Answer

A) host 
B) agent 
C) index case 
D) patient number one 
E) point patient C

Question 4

In the early 1980s,the number of AIDS cases was about 50,increasing to 4900 in three years and reaching 500,000 by 1995.Determining the number of cases today would provide the

Accepted Answer

A) point prevalence 
B) incidence rate 
C) vectors 
D) lifetime prevalence 
E) index rate

Question 5

Describe what an epidemiologist does and using the SARS outbreak describe the illness pattern that was of interest to epidemiologists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe what an epidemiologist does and using...

Question 6

In epidemiology,the total number of cases at any given time is the

Accepted Answer

A) incidence rate 
B) prevalence 
C) index rate 
D) morbidity rate 
E) mortality rate

Question 7

The problem with reporting suspect cases is that

Accepted Answer

A) they almost always become probable cases 
B) they do not differ from probable cases 
C) the public is misled into believing the problem is minimal 
D) the agent has not yet been identified 
E) the public is presented with numbers that inaccurately reflect the risk of the disease

Question 8

Of the types of agents possible,the agent for SARS was

Accepted Answer

A) chemical 
B) physical 
C) biological 
D) social/behavioural 
E) nutritional

Exam 13: Epidemiology: What Can Be Learned From the Sars Outbreak in Canada