Measuring Disease in Epidemiology from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Measures of disease frequency

One of the main purposes of epidemiology is to describe the frequency of diseases or other conditions that are important for the health of populations. Depending on the circumstances, there are different types of measures that you can use to do this. In this module, you will learn to calculate measures such as the prevalence, odds, cumulative incidence and incidence rate. We will highlight what they have in common as well as their differences. By the end of the module, you will be able to select and calculate the appropriate measure of frequency in a variety of contexts.

Measures of association

This module starts by introducing the distinction between association and causation, which is critical not only for epidemiology, but for research in general. Subsequently, you will learn all the main measures epidemiologists use to quantify association; mainly risk and rate differences and risk, rate and odds ratios. Over the course of this module, you will develop the skills to calculate and interpret measures of frequency. This is not enough by itself though, so you will also learn to select the most appropriate measure depending on the research question and the availability of data.

Attributable risk and strategies for prevention

Published studies often report the magnitude of the association they investigate, which is clearly important when trying to identify causal links. Sometimes though, what we are interested in is the impact of a factor or of a disease on the population as a whole. This is when the concepts of attributable risk and of population attributable risk come in handy. These measures quantify the population impact of a health-related factor and therefore are particularly useful for health policy. Equipped with this knowledge, you will then explore the two main approaches to disease prevention: the high-risk and the population approach.

Disease detection and screening

Diagnostic tests are used all the time to determine whether an individual is sick or not. However, these tests are far from perfect. Quantifying their imperfection allows us to understand their limitations and interpret their results. In this module, you will learn to calculate and interpret the metrics used to do this, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Using these metrics, you will subsequently learn to evaluate whether a screening programme can be effective or not considering its methodological and practical aspects.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills, knowledge, and tools in a way that can benefit those in the healthcare profession

Students with some experience in scientific research methods may find the course beginner-friendly yet sufficiently challenging

Can serve as foundational material for learners interested in further studies in epidemiology

Covers a comprehensive range of epidemiological concepts, from basic principles to advanced applications

Offers hands-on exercises and case studies to reinforce learning

Instructors are recognized for their work in epidemiology

Reviews summary

Epidemiology metrics explained

learners say this course is well structured and engaging with clear and concise explanations of epidemiological terms and their use in measuring disease. The lectures are easy to follow and supplemented by quizzes and other contents to help students grasp the subject matter. Overall, this course is a great resource for those interested in epidemiology.

Can be challenging but provides ample support

"The course is challenging and nicely designed by the talented team"

"The Course is well designed with the right amount of stretch."

"The course has been very exciting and insightful. The lecturers did a great job providing understandable notes and clarifying the concepts. I appreciate their efforts."

Well-organized with engaging lectures and assessments

"Really well structured, engaging and broken down into small and manageable chunks - great for learning on a busy schedule!"

"An excellent course to expand your knowledge of epidemiology. The course was well-structured, with assessments and exercises that assist you grasp the subject matter and attempt to apply it by answering the quiz."

"I love the course. However, I wish that instructor had a bit more clarity of materials when providing information!"

Clear and patient explanations with real-life examples

"The course lectures and materials are excellent. The instructors are also very efficient."

"The teacher teaches the course vividly with many humours! I enjoy the course very much!"

"The expert is very clear and has the hability to comunicate in a very apropiate way"

Clear, concise videos with plentiful examples

"Excellent videos, very clearlyy explained and perfect use of example to get the ideas and definitions through. I would recommend this course to anyone."

"The Course is well designed with the right amount of stretch."

"Very nice introduction course to epidemiology. Clear examples and exercise to apply what have been learnt."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Measuring Disease in Epidemiology with these activities:

Solve practice problems on epidemiological measures

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Solve problems to enhance understanding and application of epidemiological measures

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Find online practice problems or textbooks with exercises
Attempt to solve the problems independently
Check your answers and review the concepts if needed

Review probability theory

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Probability theory provides the foundation for quantifying the uncertainty associated with epidemiological data. Reviewing this material before the course will prepare you to understand the statistical methods used in epidemiology.

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Review your notes and textbook from your previous probability course.
Do practice problems from your textbook or online resources.
Take a practice exam or quiz to assess your readiness.

Calculate Measures of Disease Frequency

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Solidify your understanding of measures of disease frequency by applying them to real-world data.

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Find a dataset that includes data on a disease or health condition.
Calculate the prevalence, incidence rate, or other relevant measures of frequency.
Interpret the results and discuss their implications.

Ten other activities

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Practice Calculating Measures of Association

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Reinforce your understanding of measures of association by solving practice problems.

Browse courses on Measures of Association

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Review the different measures of association (e.g., risk difference, odds ratio).
Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
Check your answers against the provided solutions.

Create a comprehensive study guide

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Consolidate course materials into a comprehensive study guide for easy review

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Gather all relevant materials from the course (e.g., notes, slides, assignments)
Organize and synthesize the information into a logical structure
Include key concepts, definitions, and examples
Review and revise the study guide regularly

Complete online tutorials on statistical software

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Statistical software is essential for analyzing epidemiological data. Completing online tutorials will help you to develop the skills you need to use these tools effectively.

Browse courses on Statistical Software

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Identify a statistical software package that you want to learn.
Find online tutorials for that software package.
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises.
Apply your new skills to analyze epidemiological data.

Develop an infographic or presentation on epidemiological research

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Create a visual representation to solidify your understanding of epidemiological principles

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Choose a specific epidemiological concept or topic to focus on
Gather data and conduct research on the topic
Design an infographic or presentation that clearly explains the concept
Share your infographic or presentation with peers or experts for feedback

Solve practice problems on epidemiological concepts

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Solving practice problems will help you to apply the epidemiological concepts you are learning in class to real-world situations.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Find practice problems in your textbook or online.
Solve the problems and check your answers.
Review the correct answers and explanations to identify areas where you need improvement.

Conduct a literature review on a specific epidemiological topic

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Conducting a literature review will allow you to explore a specific epidemiological topic in depth and develop a strong understanding of the current state of knowledge in that area.

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Identify a specific epidemiological topic that you are interested in.
Search for relevant studies in academic databases.
Review the studies you find and extract the relevant data.
Summarize the findings of your review in a written report.

Follow tutorials on advanced epidemiological methods

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Expand your knowledge and skills by following tutorials on advanced epidemiological methods

Browse courses on Measures of Association

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Identify online tutorials or courses on topics such as risk estimation, causal inference, or diagnostic testing
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and practicing the techniques
Apply the methods to real-world datasets or case studies
Share your findings and insights with peers or mentors

Learn Advanced Data Visualization Techniques

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Developing advanced data visualization skills will enhance your ability to represent and communicate epidemiological data.

Browse courses on Interactive Data Visualization

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Explore online tutorials on data visualization tools like Python's Plotly
Complete hands-on projects to create interactive data visualizations
Seek feedback on your visualizations from peers and industry professionals

Mentor junior students or individuals new to epidemiology

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Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring others

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Volunteer or find opportunities to mentor junior students or individuals new to the field
Provide guidance and support on epidemiological concepts and research methods
Encourage them to ask questions and share their perspectives

Contribute to relevant open-source projects

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Contribute to open source initiatives to reinforce the topics covered in the course and for hands-on experience

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Identify a suitable open-source project related to epidemiology
Review the project's documentation and codebase
Identify an area to contribute to (e.g., bug fixes, feature enhancements)
Make a pull request with your contributions
Engage with the project maintainers to get feedback and improve your contributions

Career center

Learners who complete Measuring Disease in Epidemiology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and develop strategies for prevention. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for epidemiologists. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for epidemiologists who work in the field of public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to problems in biology, medicine, and public health. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for biostatisticians. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for biostatisticians who work in the field of public health.

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Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to investigate the causes of disease and develop strategies for prevention. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for research scientists. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for research scientists who work in the field of public health.

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Medical Researcher

Medical researchers conduct research to investigate the causes of disease and develop strategies for treatment and prevention. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for medical researchers. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for medical researchers who work in the field of public health.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts use statistical methods to analyze data and draw conclusions. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for data analysts who work in the field of public health. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for data analysts who work in the field of public health.

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Public Health Administrator

Public health administrators plan and manage public health programs. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for public health administrators. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for public health administrators who work in the field of public health.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for statisticians. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for statisticians who work in the field of public health.

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Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for health educators. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for health educators who work in the field of public health.

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Medical Doctor

Medical doctors diagnose and treat diseases. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for medical doctors. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for medical doctors who work in the field of public health.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases in animals. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for veterinarians. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for veterinarians who work in the field of public health.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients and families. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for nurses. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for nurses who work in the field of public health.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide support and assistance to individuals and families. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for social workers. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for social workers who work in the field of public health.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide counseling on their use. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for pharmacists. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for pharmacists who work in the field of public health.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for teachers who teach health education or public health. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for teachers who work in the field of public health.

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Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes. This course provides a strong foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, which is essential for writers who write about health or public health topics. The course covers topics such as measures of disease frequency, measures of association, and strategies for prevention. This knowledge is essential for writers who work in the field of public health.

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