Epidemiology methodologies

Baker EL, Letz R, Fidler AT, et al. 1985. A computer-based neurobehavioral evaluation system for occupational and environmental epidemiology Methodology and validation studies. Neurobehav Toxicol Teratol 7 369-377. 

Baker, E.L. et al., A computer-based neurobehavioral evaluadon system for occupadonal and environmental epidemiology methodology and validadon studies, Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol., 7, 369, 1985. 

Day, N. L., 8c Richardson, G. A. (1991). Prenatal marijuana use Epidemiology, methodological issues, and infant outcome. Chemical Dependency and Pregnancy, 18, 77-91. 

So far only acute adverse effects which could be readily associated with excessive lead exposure have been considered. However, studies on lead workers have elicited symptoms of lassitude, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, constipation, insomnia, irritability, pallor and anaemia - complaints which are common in the general population. The recent development of environmental and biological monitoring procedures, and of epidemiological methodology, now enables us to investigate non-specific and subclinical effects in relation to lead exposure with greater precision. 

The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USP) in 2000 issued the USP criteria for levels of evidence for botanical articles [117]. While issued for botanicals, the criteria have application to all therapeutic agents. The USP criteria rank evidence from I to IV, with Level I being the strongest. Within Level I, the randomized controlled clinical trial is ranked highest, followed by meta-analysis and epidemiological studies. Level II consists of the same designs, but with methodological flaws. Level III includes inconclusive studies, and Level IV is anecdotal evidence. 

Hotopf, M., G. Lewis and C. Normand, Putting Trials on Trial - the Costs and Consequences of Small Trials in Depression A Systematic Review of Methodology Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 51 (1997) 354-58... 

Lin SS, Kelsey JL. Use of Race and Ethnicity in Epidemiologic Research Concepts, Methodological Issues, and Suggestions for Research. Epidemiol Rev 2001 22 187-202. 

The majority of scientific and governmental concerns for the hazards of these compounds have been directed toward analytical methodologies, toxicology, epidemiology and determination of the disposition in the environment of the single most toxic isomer, 2,3,7,8-tctrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [77-82, 84],... 

Wells JE, BushneU JA, Hornblow AR, Joyce PR, Oakley-Browne MA (1989) Christchurch psychiatric epidemiology study. I. Methodology and lifetime prevalence for specific psychiatric disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 23 315-326... 

In the applications that follow we will focus on the combination of clinical trials although the methodology can also apply more widely in an epidemiological setting hence the use of the word study in the chapter so far. 

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, RESEARCH, AND METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATION TABLE 53.1 Steps in Designing and Conducting a Clinical Trial (continued)... 

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