Study Designs in Epidemiology from Coursera

Choosing an appropriate study design is a critical decision that can largely determine whether your study will successfully answer your research question. A quick look at the contents page of a biomedical journal or even at the health news section of a news website is enough to tell you that there are many different ways to conduct epidemiological research.

In this course, you will learn about the main epidemiological study designs, including cross-sectional and ecological studies, case-control and cohort studies, as well as the more complex nested case-control and case-cohort designs. The final module is dedicated to randomised controlled trials, which is often considered the optimal study design, especially in clinical research. You will also develop the skills to identify strengths and limitations of the various study designs. By the end of this course, you will be able to choose the most suitable study design considering the research question, the available time, and resources.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Study Designs: Ecological and Cross-Sectional Studies

The range of different study designs can be quite confusing. However, to help you navigate the maze of study designs, we can split them into groups which share common characteristics. In this module, you will be introduced to these common characteristics, and you will learn the main principles of ecological and cross-sectional studies, as well as when it is appropriate to use them. By the end of the module, you will be able to identify and critically consider the advantages and disadvantages of these study designs.

Case Control Studies

This module focuses on case-control studies, which is one of the best known epidemiological study designs. Case-control studies are particularly useful when you don’t have the luxury of waiting for a long follow-up period to conclude. In this module, you will learn the key elements of case-control study design, and you will learn how to estimate the appropriate measure of association when presented with data from a case-control study.

Cohort Studies and Nested Studies

Cohorts were ancient Roman military units, but in modern epidemiology the word “cohort” is used to describe a group with a shared characteristic. In cohort studies, we follow groups of people over time, we collect data on their exposure and outcome, and try to estimate whether there is an association between the group-defining characteristic and the outcome of interest. In this module, you will learn how to design such a study, the kind of problems which may arise and how it compares with case-control studies. You will also learn about nested case-control and case-cohort studies, which allow us to harness the advantages of cohort studies in more efficient ways. By the end of the module, you will be able to choose the best study design in a variety of contexts.

Randomised Controlled Trials

Randomised controlled trials are often seen as the gold standard of epidemiological research, especially in clinical settings, and in this module you will learn why. You will learn the main design features of randomised clinical trials, why they are so important, and the difficulties and limitations in applying these principles in real life. By the end of this module, you will know how to design a randomised clinical trial and how to decide which is the best analytical approach for the data you have obtained.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for individuals responsible for designing epidemiological research studies

Ideal for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of epidemiological study designs, including cross-sectional, ecological, case-control, cohort, and randomized controlled trials

Appropriate for professionals in the healthcare, life sciences, and public health sectors

Reviews summary

Highly rated epidemiology course

Learners say this excellent course on study designs in epidemiology is engaging. It is highly recommended for beginners in epidemiology or those who need a refresher. The course provides a solid foundation and clear explanations of important concepts in an easy-to-understand way. One learner said, "Excellent, well design, clear and brilliant professors!" Another learner said, "Very good course, especially if you want to pursue further studies in Public health."

Instructors are praised for their clarity, descriptiveness, and ability to teach complex concepts in an engaging way.

"The tutors are amazing at teaching hard concepts!"

"Excellent, well design, clear and brilliant professors!"

"I absolutely love this course. It's engaging and the facilitators are amazing."

The course is particularly well-suited for beginners in epidemiology or those with limited background in research.

"Good for those with no background in clinical research."

"This course provided me with a better conceptual grasp of the popular study designs implemented in both clinical and public health research."

"It was a nicely taught course, but very basic. Good for those with no background in clinical research."

The course is structured with clear objectives, explanations, and well-designed assignments.

"Clear objectives, explanations and excellent assignments."

"Great course, I understood the concepts clearly through the examples, the overview material and the exercises on the tests. Thanks."

"Very useful and straightforward course for whoever wants to understand and going further compare the different types of study designs."

The course provides a comprehensive overview of study designs in epidemiology, covering various types and their applications.

"Excellent course to understand the distinct study designs available and when best to apply which one."

"Many of my doubts about the difference between studies in epidemiology have been cleared up. Thank you!"

"The course taught me over all the study design. Now I have a clear picture of how to detect the cause and association of diseases and exposure."

Learners widely report that the course is valuable and provides a strong foundation for further study or career advancement.

"Very satisfied. Helpful for my career. Value the money."

"I am totally sure that what I learned in this course will give me the bases to enter a postgraduate degree in epidemiology in my country"

"Truly amazing experience ... i refer this course to the beginners in Epidemiology (PH) .. all study designs have been elobarately explained but in a very simplistic and understandable manner."

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 Study Designs in Epidemiology with these activities:

Review previous coursework in epidemiology or biostatistics

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Refresh your knowledge of key concepts from previous coursework to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Review lecture notes and textbooks from previous courses
Complete practice problems and assignments
Attend review sessions if available

Review basic statistics

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Solidify your understanding of basic statistics to enhance your ability to analyze epidemiological data.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review textbooks or online resources on basic statistics
Practice solving statistical problems

Read 'Epidemiology: Principles and Methods' by Leon Gordis

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Enhance your understanding of epidemiological principles and methods by reading this classic textbook.

View Epidemiology on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read each chapter thoroughly
Take notes and highlight important concepts
Complete any practice exercises or assignments

Five other activities

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Volunteer at a local health organization

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Gain practical experience in epidemiology by volunteering at a local health organization.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Identify a local health organization that aligns with your interests
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and apply
Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to the organization's mission

Join a study group to discuss study designs and data analysis

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Engage in peer discussions to deepen your understanding of study designs and data analysis techniques.

Browse courses on Study Designs

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Identify or form a study group with classmates
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course materials
Collaborate on practice problems and projects

Start a project to design an epidemiology research study

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Design and conduct an epidemiology research study to deepen your understanding of study designs and data analysis.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Identify a research question and hypothesis
Select an appropriate study design
Collect and analyze data
Interpret results and draw conclusions

Practice estimating measures of association

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Practice calculating and interpreting measures of association to enhance your understanding of study results.

Browse courses on Measures of Association

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Calculate measures of association for different study designs
Interpret the results of measures of association
Identify potential biases in measures of association

Create a presentation on the strengths and limitations of different study designs

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Create a presentation to synthesize your knowledge and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological study designs.

Browse courses on Study Designs

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Identify the different study designs
Analyze the strengths and limitations of each study design
Develop a presentation that outlines your findings

Career center

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

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other health problems in populations. This course can help Epidemiologists build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for conducting epidemiological research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Scientist

Public Health Scientists work to improve the health of populations. This course can help Public Health Scientists build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and conducting public health studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Scientist

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze data from biological and medical research. This course can help Biostatisticians build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and analyzing epidemiological studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Social and Behavioral Scientist

Social and Behavioral Scientists study the social and behavioral factors that influence health. This course can help Social and Behavioral Scientists build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and conducting research on the social and behavioral determinants of health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social and Behavioral Scientist

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts develop and evaluate health policies. This course can help Health Policy Analysts build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for understanding the health effects of different policies.

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Health Economist

Health Economists analyze the economic costs and benefits of health interventions. This course can help Health Economists build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and conducting economic evaluations of health interventions.

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Health Policy Researcher

Health Policy Researchers study the development, implementation, and evaluation of health policies. This course can help Health Policy Researchers build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and conducting research on health policy.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers communicate medical information to a variety of audiences. This course can help Medical Writers build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for understanding and communicating medical research.

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Health Communications Specialist

Health Communications Specialists develop and implement communication campaigns to promote health. This course can help Health Communications Specialists build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which can be helpful for understanding and communicating health research.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course can help Data Analysts build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which can be helpful for understanding and analyzing health data.

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Health Educator

Health Educators teach people about health and healthy behaviors. This course can help Health Educators build a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which can be helpful for understanding and communicating health research.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that pharmaceutical products meet regulatory requirements. This course may be useful for Regulatory Affairs Specialists because it provides a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which can be helpful for understanding the clinical data on pharmaceutical products.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. This course may be useful for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives because it provides a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which can be helpful for understanding the clinical data on pharmaceutical products.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators assist with the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. This course may be useful for Clinical Research Coordinators because it provides a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for understanding and implementing clinical trials.

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Clinical Research Physician

Clinical Research Physicians are responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing clinical trials. This course may be useful for Clinical Research Physicians because it provides a foundation in study design and epidemiology, which are essential for designing and conducting clinical trials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Physician