NSG 522 Midterm Exam Review:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
What is the main focus of epidemiology? ANS: The study of the distribution and determinants of health-
related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this knowledge to control health
problems.
What are the key components of epidemiology as defined in the notes? ANS: Study (systematic
surveillance, observation, experimentation), Distribution (person, place, time), Determinants (physical,
biological, social, cultural, economic, behavioral factors), Health-related states or events (wellness,
illness, disease, injury, impairments, disability), Specified populations (characteristics of who is healthy,
at risk, or acquires disease), Control of health problems (identifying factors associated with disease
development and prevention).
What are the core functions of epidemiology? ANS: 1. Surveillance 2. Field investigations 3. Analytic
studies 4. Evaluation 5. Linkages 6. Policy
What is the significance of measurement in epidemiology? ANS: Measurement is essential for
understanding the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events.
What are the Five W's of Epidemiology? ANS: What? When? Where? Who? Why?
What is emphasized in epidemiology regarding health? ANS: Epidemiology focuses on populations and
population health rather than providing direct care to individuals.
What does the term 'determinants' refer to in epidemiology? ANS: Factors that influence health,
including physical, biological, social, cultural, economic, and behavioral aspects.
What is meant by 'specified populations' in epidemiology? ANS: Characteristics of individuals who are
healthy, at risk for disease, or who acquire disease.
, What is the goal of epidemiology? ANS: To identify factors associated with disease development and
factors that prevent illness.
How is epidemiology described as a science? ANS: Epidemiology is a quantitative science that uses
measurement to enhance understanding of health-related states and events.
What are the two main components of epidemiology? ANS: Descriptive and Analytic.
What does descriptive epidemiology study? ANS: The distribution, frequency, and pattern of health-
related states and events, focusing on WHO, WHERE, and WHEN.
What is the primary focus of analytic epidemiology? ANS: To examine the causes of health-related
states or events and quantify the association between exposures and outcomes.
What is the difference between descriptive and analytic epidemiology? ANS: Descriptive epidemiology
describes the distribution and frequency of health-related events (the 'who, where, and when'), while
analytic epidemiology examines the determinants and causes of those events (the 'why').
What is a variable in the context of epidemiology? ANS: A variable is the thing that is being measured or
observed, which can assume different values.
What are the two types of definitions for variables? ANS: Conceptual definitions (which define the
concept) and operational definitions (which specify how the concept is measured).
What is an independent variable? ANS: The variable that is manipulated or varied by the researcher,
thought to affect the outcomes of interest.
What is a dependent variable? ANS: The outcome or response variable that is presumed to be affected
by an independent variable.
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
What is the main focus of epidemiology? ANS: The study of the distribution and determinants of health-
related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this knowledge to control health
problems.
What are the key components of epidemiology as defined in the notes? ANS: Study (systematic
surveillance, observation, experimentation), Distribution (person, place, time), Determinants (physical,
biological, social, cultural, economic, behavioral factors), Health-related states or events (wellness,
illness, disease, injury, impairments, disability), Specified populations (characteristics of who is healthy,
at risk, or acquires disease), Control of health problems (identifying factors associated with disease
development and prevention).
What are the core functions of epidemiology? ANS: 1. Surveillance 2. Field investigations 3. Analytic
studies 4. Evaluation 5. Linkages 6. Policy
What is the significance of measurement in epidemiology? ANS: Measurement is essential for
understanding the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events.
What are the Five W's of Epidemiology? ANS: What? When? Where? Who? Why?
What is emphasized in epidemiology regarding health? ANS: Epidemiology focuses on populations and
population health rather than providing direct care to individuals.
What does the term 'determinants' refer to in epidemiology? ANS: Factors that influence health,
including physical, biological, social, cultural, economic, and behavioral aspects.
What is meant by 'specified populations' in epidemiology? ANS: Characteristics of individuals who are
healthy, at risk for disease, or who acquire disease.
, What is the goal of epidemiology? ANS: To identify factors associated with disease development and
factors that prevent illness.
How is epidemiology described as a science? ANS: Epidemiology is a quantitative science that uses
measurement to enhance understanding of health-related states and events.
What are the two main components of epidemiology? ANS: Descriptive and Analytic.
What does descriptive epidemiology study? ANS: The distribution, frequency, and pattern of health-
related states and events, focusing on WHO, WHERE, and WHEN.
What is the primary focus of analytic epidemiology? ANS: To examine the causes of health-related
states or events and quantify the association between exposures and outcomes.
What is the difference between descriptive and analytic epidemiology? ANS: Descriptive epidemiology
describes the distribution and frequency of health-related events (the 'who, where, and when'), while
analytic epidemiology examines the determinants and causes of those events (the 'why').
What is a variable in the context of epidemiology? ANS: A variable is the thing that is being measured or
observed, which can assume different values.
What are the two types of definitions for variables? ANS: Conceptual definitions (which define the
concept) and operational definitions (which specify how the concept is measured).
What is an independent variable? ANS: The variable that is manipulated or varied by the researcher,
thought to affect the outcomes of interest.
What is a dependent variable? ANS: The outcome or response variable that is presumed to be affected
by an independent variable.
