ECC4999

Evaluation methods and epidemiology

Dr Graeme Hawthorne

7 points
* One 3-hour session per week
* Second semester
* Centre for Health Program Evaluation, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre

Objectives On completion of this subject students should be familiar with and be able to apply basic epidemiological and evaluation research techniques, including the analysis of small datasets

Synopsis This subject introduces students to the basic principles of program evaluation and epidemiology. The subject is divided into three streams: epidemiology, biostatistics and program evaluation. (a) Epidemiology: this introduces the basic concepts underpinning medical research, including issues relating to risk, causation, bias and confounding. Also covered are the basic research designs used, including randomised control (clinical) trials, cohort studies and case-control studies. (b) Biostatistics: the basic principles of biostatistics will be explained, including introductions hypotheses, data, relative risks, odds ratios, chi-square and Fisher's Exact Test analyses, t-tests, analysis of variance and regression. (c) Program evaluation: this will introduce students to the fundamental principles of program evaluation, including evaluability, issues in sampling and survey design, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the purpose of evaluation studies. In addition students will be introduced to critical appraisal, which is concerned with assessing the worth of published studies.

Assessment Based on satisfactory completion of four set pieces of work (each reflecting one of the three streams of study and the fourth will be a set critical appraisal exercise): 25%