Question 1

Prospective cohort studies use existing longitudinal data to look back for a temporal relationship between exposure factors and outcome development.​

Accepted Answer

Prospective cohort studies follow groups of individuals forward in time from exposure to outcome, rather than using existing data to look back at the relationship between exposure factors and outcomes.

Question 2

Vital statistics are figures pertaining to risk and development of disease and illness.​

Accepted Answer

Vital statistics typically refer to data related to births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, rather than directly to disease and illness risk and development.

Question 3

In a study on liver cancer, subjects with a high fat intake had a relative risk of 2.15, meaning they have double the risk of developing liver cancer than those with a low intake of fat.​

Accepted Answer

A relative risk of 2.15 means that the group with high fat intake has double the risk of developing liver cancer than the group with low intake of fat.

Question 4

The rate of incidence of a disease is best measured using a cross-sectional study.​

Accepted Answer

The rate of incidence of a disease is best measured using a cohort or longitudinal study, where individuals are followed over time to determine if they develop the disease. Cross-sectional studies only provide a snapshot of a population at a specific time and cannot determine the incidence rate.

Question 5

The investigation of the correlation between fish consumption and breast cancer incidence in humans is an example of a correlation study.​

Accepted Answer

A correlation study examines the relationship between two variables, in this case fish consumption and breast cancer incidence in humans. It does not establish a causation, but rather demonstrates a statistical association between the two variables.

Question 6

An important principle of the scientific method is that most research generates new questions, not final answers.​

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is a process of inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, and testing them through repeated experimentation. While research may sometimes provide definitive answers to certain questions, in general, scientific research generates new questions for further investigation, rather than final answers. This process of continuous questioning, testing, and refinement is what drives scientific progress and leads to a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Question 7

The prevalence of a disease is the number of new cases of a disease during a specific time period in a defined population.​

Accepted Answer

The prevalence of a disease is the total number of cases of a disease in a defined population at a specific point in time, not the number of new cases. The number of new cases is called the incidence.

Question 8

Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of mental retardation in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to intellectual disabilities and other birth defects. It is completely preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.

Question 9

A cohort is a well-defined group of people who are studied over a period of time to determine their incidence of disease, injury, or death.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of a cohort study.

Question 10

Within the field of epidemiology, the term distribution refers to the relationship between the health problem or disease and the treatment options available.​

Accepted Answer

Distribution in epidemiology refers to the frequency and pattern of occurrence of a health problem or disease in a population, and not necessarily its relationship with treatment options.

Question 11

An ecological study focuses on groups of people and examines the relationship between exposure and disease.​

Accepted Answer

An ecological study is a type of observational study that focuses on groups of people and examines the relationship between exposure (such as exposure to pollution or certain foods) and disease. It does not involve direct observation or data collection from individuals, but rather looks at trends and patterns within populations.

Question 12

A scientific study in which participants self-selected involvement would likely show error due to selection bias. ​

Accepted Answer

Self-selection bias occurs when participants have the ability to choose whether or not to participate in a study, and this can lead to a non-representative sample of the population. Therefore, a scientific study in which participants self-selected involvement would likely show error due to selection bias.

Question 13

Factors such as race, age, sex, and a person's physiological state are all considered determinants of disease.​

Accepted Answer

Race, age, sex, and physiological state are all recognized as determinants of disease by medical professionals and researchers.

Question 14

A confounding factor is a "hidden" factor or characteristic that may cause an association that the researchers attribute to other factors.​

Accepted Answer

A confounding factor can have an impact on the study, even if it is not directly measured or accounted for, leading to incorrect conclusions about the relationship between the variables being studied.

Question 15

In an experimental study, investigators examine preventions and treatments for diseases by actively manipulating which groups receive the agent under study.​

Accepted Answer

In experimental studies, researchers actively manipulate which groups receive the agent under study in order to examine preventions and treatments for diseases.

Question 16

The first step of the scientific method is hypothesis development and prediction.​

Accepted Answer

The first step of the scientific method is typically identifying a problem or asking a question, not hypothesis development and prediction.

Question 17

​Epidemiology is the basic science of public health.

Accepted Answer

Epidemiology is considered the basic science of public health as it is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. It helps identify risk factors and interventions to prevent or control disease outbreaks.

Question 18

A single individual with a confirmed diagnosis of a disease is classified as a case.​

Accepted Answer

A single individual with a confirmed diagnosis of a disease is referred to as a case in epidemiology.

Question 19

Epidemiologic methodology can be used to determine whether syndromes are related to each other or represent distinct conditions.​

Accepted Answer

Epidemiologic methodology involves studying the patterns, causes, and effects of health conditions in populations. By examining the incidence and prevalence of different syndromes and their risk factors, epidemiologists can determine whether they are related to each other or represent distinct conditions. This can help inform medical diagnoses and treatment strategies.

Question 20

Crude birth and death rates are not useful for comparisons because population characteristics may differ greatly, particularly with respect to age.​

Accepted Answer

Crude birth and death rates do not take into account differences in population age structures, which can greatly impact the rates. Therefore, they are not useful for comparisons between populations or over time. Age-standardized rates, which account for differences in age structures, are a more accurate measure for comparisons.

Quiz 2: Principles of Epidemiology

Prospective cohort studies use existing longitudinal data to look back for a temporal relationship between exposure factors and outcome development.​

Vital statistics are figures pertaining to risk and development of disease and illness.​

In a study on liver cancer, subjects with a high fat intake had a relative risk of 2.15, meaning they have double the risk of developing liver cancer than those with a low intake of fat.​

The rate of incidence of a disease is best measured using a cross-sectional study.​

The investigation of the correlation between fish consumption and breast cancer incidence in humans is an example of a correlation study.​

An important principle of the scientific method is that most research generates new questions, not final answers.​

The prevalence of a disease is the number of new cases of a disease during a specific time period in a defined population.​

Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of mental retardation in the United States.

A cohort is a well-defined group of people who are studied over a period of time to determine their incidence of disease, injury, or death.

Within the field of epidemiology, the term distribution refers to the relationship between the health problem or disease and the treatment options available.​

An ecological study focuses on groups of people and examines the relationship between exposure and disease.​

A scientific study in which participants self-selected involvement would likely show error due to selection bias. ​

Factors such as race, age, sex, and a person's physiological state are all considered determinants of disease.​

A confounding factor is a "hidden" factor or characteristic that may cause an association that the researchers attribute to other factors.​

In an experimental study, investigators examine preventions and treatments for diseases by actively manipulating which groups receive the agent under study.​

The first step of the scientific method is hypothesis development and prediction.​

​Epidemiology is the basic science of public health.

A single individual with a confirmed diagnosis of a disease is classified as a case.​

Epidemiologic methodology can be used to determine whether syndromes are related to each other or represent distinct conditions.​

Crude birth and death rates are not useful for comparisons because population characteristics may differ greatly, particularly with respect to age.​

Prospective cohort studies use existing longitudinal data to look back for a temporal relationship between exposure factors and outcome development.

Vital statistics are figures pertaining to risk and development of disease and illness.

In a study on liver cancer, subjects with a high fat intake had a relative risk of 2.15, meaning they have double the risk of developing liver cancer than those with a low intake of fat.

The rate of incidence of a disease is best measured using a cross-sectional study.

The investigation of the correlation between fish consumption and breast cancer incidence in humans is an example of a correlation study.

An important principle of the scientific method is that most research generates new questions, not final answers.

The prevalence of a disease is the number of new cases of a disease during a specific time period in a defined population.

Within the field of epidemiology, the term distribution refers to the relationship between the health problem or disease and the treatment options available.

An ecological study focuses on groups of people and examines the relationship between exposure and disease.

A scientific study in which participants self-selected involvement would likely show error due to selection bias.

Factors such as race, age, sex, and a person's physiological state are all considered determinants of disease.

A confounding factor is a "hidden" factor or characteristic that may cause an association that the researchers attribute to other factors.

In an experimental study, investigators examine preventions and treatments for diseases by actively manipulating which groups receive the agent under study.

The first step of the scientific method is hypothesis development and prediction.

Epidemiology is the basic science of public health.

A single individual with a confirmed diagnosis of a disease is classified as a case.

Epidemiologic methodology can be used to determine whether syndromes are related to each other or represent distinct conditions.

Crude birth and death rates are not useful for comparisons because population characteristics may differ greatly, particularly with respect to age.