Epidemiology and Principles of Research PG (6469.5)

This unit introduces students to the core principles of nutrition epidemiology, specifically the measurement of health status of populations (biomarkers, body composition and dietary intake) and provides students with the ability to critically appraise public health and nutrition epidemiological research literature.The unit provides an overview of study designs, measures of disease frequency and association, measurement bias, and issues of confounding. A brief overview of statistical analysis is provided including basic parametric and non-parametric analyses, although basic statistical knowledge is assumed. The activities require a basic knowledge of relevant statistical programs (e.g. SPSS).

Learning outcomes

1. understand the research process including design, ethical issues and evidence-based practice
2. conduct a critical appraisal of a published paper
3. calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency and association
4. identify major forms of bias and confounding
5. identify appropriate methods of assessing health and nutritional status of populations (biomarkers, body composition and dietary intake).

Prerequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

Understanding of statistics and/or nutritional science.