DTN4EPI
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH METHODS
DTN4EPI
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of epidemiology and epidemiological study designs and research concepts. These will be of direct relevance to the role of food and nutrition in the prevention, causation and management of disease. Nutrition measurement techniques for the assessment of diet and body composition of individuals and populations will be covered in depth. This subject covers sources of data on mortality and morbidity, measures of disease prevalence, incidence and risk, chance, bias and confounding variables of relevance to nutritional epidemiology. Standard parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques will be reviewed and students will have the opportunity to use statistical software programs to analyse a population dataset.
SchoolSchool of Allied Health
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorGeorge Moschonis
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be admitted in one of the following courses: HZHSDP, HZNDP, HBHN and must pass DTN2PNU and 120 credit points at year level 1 OR must be admitted in one of the following courses: HMDP, HBHNHK and no other rule applies. All other students require subject coordinator approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects DTN404
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Essential epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals | Prescribed | Webb, P. Bain, C. & Pirozzo, S. 2011 | 2ND EDN, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK, CAMBRIDGE |
| Readings | Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences | Prescribed | Polgar S, Thomas SA (2014) | Elsevier |
| Readings | SPSS: analysis without anguish, version 18.0 for Windows | Recommended | Coakes SJ and Ong C (2011) | Wiley |
| Readings | SPSS Survival Manual | Recommended | Julie Pallant 2001 | Allen and Unwin |
| Readings | Introduction to Epidemiology: Distribution and Determinants of Disease | Prescribed | Macera C.A., Shaffer, R, Shaffer, P.M. (2013) | Cengage Learning |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate advanced understanding of terms and definitions used in epidemiology and concepts of measurements of disease
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops, online directed learnings
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
02. Review and critically evaluate a range of different designs in nutritional epidemiology
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops, online directed learnings.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Design an epidemiological nutrition study in practice
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops, online directed learnings
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Critically reflect on the role of food and nutrition in preventing and causing disease
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops, online directed learnings
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Apply specialised technical skills to accurately assess dietary intake
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops, online directed learnings
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
06. Critically analyse and interpret a small population dataset using biostatistics
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
07. Evaluate the role of ethics in nutrition research and the ethics code of conduct as set out by the NHMRC
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
Subject options
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Hong Kong, 2018, Week 05-16, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSkye Marshall
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 05 - 16
One 30.0 hours seminar per study period from week 05 to week 16 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1500-word assignment | Statistical programme used for data analysis. | 35 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |
| One 20-minute multiple choice quiz (333 words equiv) | 10 | 01, 04 | |
| One 800 word critical analysis assignment | 15 | 01, 02, 04, 07 | |
| Two 30 minute tests (1000 word equiv total) | Multiple choice during semester | 20 | 01, 02, 04 |
| One 60 minute test (1000 word equiv) | Short answer questions | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 07 |
Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorGeorge Moschonis
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 41
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 41 and delivered via face-to-face.
"As part of this students will complete 16-hours in computer labs weeks 3 to 10."
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 41
One 2.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 41 and delivered via online.
LectureWeek: 31 - 41
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 41 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1500-word assignment | Statistical programme used for data analysis. | 35 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |
| One 20-minute multiple choice quiz (333 words equiv) | 10 | 01, 04 | |
| One 800 word critical analysis assignment | 15 | 01, 02, 04, 07 | |
| Two 30 minute tests (1000 word equiv total) | Multiple choice during semester | 20 | 01, 02, 04 |
| One 60 minute test (1000 word equiv) | Short answer questions | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 07 |