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| Module Availability |
Autumn semester |
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| Assessment Pattern |
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Units of Assessment
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Method(s)
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Percentage Weighting
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Coursework
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Practical Exercise (1000 words)
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50%
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Coursework
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Essay (1500 words)
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50%
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| Module Overview |
| This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of theory and practice in accordance with the British Psychological Society accreditation criteria that are prerequisite for Chartered Status, in particular those relating to the epidemiology of health and illness. |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
None |
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| Module Aims |
To provide students with:
• a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of epidemiology
• a comprehensive understanding of the origins and context of epidemiology
• and a comprehensive understanding of critically assessing epidemiology research
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| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
• be trained in the informed and systematic application of the research-practitioner model involving the critical reading of research, an appreciation of methods, techniques and tools in the study of the epidemiology of health and illness relating to disorders of contemporary importance including coronary heart disease, low back pain and lung cancer.
• be knowledgeable about models of practice in the application of epidemiology to health psychology.
• develop the basic interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of problems in the application of epidemiology to health psychology.
• self-reflect in support of personal and professional development via constructive feedback. |
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| Module Content |
Week 1: Historical aspects and development of epidemiological concepts; definitions of disease; concept of rates; early methods
Week 2: Describing cause and effect relationships in epidemiology; methodological issues (bias, confounding, chance); study design: cross sectional methods and practical work (questionnaire and survey design)
Week 3: Study design: retrospective methods and practical (questionnaire and survey design)
Week 4: Study design: prospective (longitudinal methods) and practical (survey analysis)
Week 5: Internet exercise (sources of information, epidemiological tools and data on the net)
Week 6: Epidemiology - example studies (including upper limb disorders, "RSI")
Week 7: Student seminars & journal club
Week 8: Student seminars & journal club
Week 9: Student seminars (cont.)
Week 10: Student seminars (cont.)
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Lectures, practicals (epidemiological survey design, data collection and analysis) and student presentations/seminars. Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 130 hours of study time in completion of the module. |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Essential Reading
Silman, A.J. & MacFarlane, G. (2002). Epidemiological Studies: A Practical Guide. (2nd ed) Cambridge University Press.
Recommended Reading
Gordis,L. Epidemiology. (2004) Elsevier Saunders. New York.
Background Reading
Moon, G., Gould, M. et al (2000) Epidemiology: an introduction. Open University Press
Coggon, D., Rose. G & Barker, D.J.P (1997). Epidemiology for the Uninitiated. (4th ed). Free on
the net at www.bmj.com.
Cottrell, S (2005). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument
Palgrave Macmillan.
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| Last Updated |
| 24th August 2010 |
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