Study Designs and Research Methods

What this unit covers

The resources on this page are about how epidemiological studies are designed and judged. The mind map Epidemiology study designs sets out ecological studies, with their features, advantages and disadvantages. Other maps look at observational designs, case reports and case series, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case-control studies and randomised control trials.

Where to start

Begin with the broad overview maps, such as Epidemiology study designs and Observational Study Designs. They explain that observational designs are non-experimental and more open to bias and confounding than randomised trials. Then move to the single-design maps one at a time.

1. Read an overview map to see how the designs differ.
2. Open the map for one design, such as Cohort studies or Case-control.
3. Go through a flashcard deck on the same design.
4. Take a quiz to check what stuck.

Bias, confounding and evidence

The Confounding map covers ways of controlling it: randomisation, restriction, matching and analysis methods such as stratification and modelling. The deck Bias and miscalssification and the map Levels of Evidence help you judge how far a study can be trusted. The deck Observational Studies adds 2 by 2 tables, odds ratios, relative risk and attributable risk.

Using quizzes and maps together

Quizzes such as Study Types and Lecture 15 + 23 RCTS and Causation show quickly which designs you mix up. Go back to the matching map for those, then retry the quiz. Teachers can use the same sequence as a ready-made revision set.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Epidemiology and Research Methods strand of Public health and epidemiology. Pick one design today and work through its map, deck and quiz.