OVERVIEW OF EPIDEMIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Six core functions of epidemiology - ANSWER-1. Public health surveillance
2. Field investigation
3. Analytic studies
4. Evaluation
5. Linkages
6. Policy development
Public Health Surveillance - ANSWER-Purpose: To portray ongoing patterns of disease
occurrence, so investigations, control and prevention measures can be developed.
Key skills: Design and use data collections tools; data management and interpretation
as well as presentations.
Field Investigation - ANSWER-Purpose: To determine sources of disease; learn about
natural history, clinical spectrum, descriptive epidemiology and risk factors of disease.
Analytic Studies - ANSWER-Purpose: To advance the information (hypotheses)
generated by descriptive epidemiology techniques.
Hallmark: use of a comparison group.
Key Skills: Design, conduct, analysis, interpret and communicate research data and
findings.
Evaluation - ANSWER-Purpose: To systematically and objectively determine relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of activities.
Linkages - ANSWER-Purpose: To collaborate with (link to) other public health(care)
professionals and public.
Policy development - ANSWER-Purpose: To provide input, testimony,
recommendations regarding disease control and prevention, reportable disease
regulations and heatlhcare policy.
Epidemiologists describe and compare groups by the following: - ANSWER-1. Counting
(frequencies)
2. Dividing (percentages)
3. Comparing
Counting - ANSWER--counting "cases" and describing them in terms of person, place,
and time. (Case-study population definition development is a key function.)
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Six core functions of epidemiology - ANSWER-1. Public health surveillance
2. Field investigation
3. Analytic studies
4. Evaluation
5. Linkages
6. Policy development
Public Health Surveillance - ANSWER-Purpose: To portray ongoing patterns of disease
occurrence, so investigations, control and prevention measures can be developed.
Key skills: Design and use data collections tools; data management and interpretation
as well as presentations.
Field Investigation - ANSWER-Purpose: To determine sources of disease; learn about
natural history, clinical spectrum, descriptive epidemiology and risk factors of disease.
Analytic Studies - ANSWER-Purpose: To advance the information (hypotheses)
generated by descriptive epidemiology techniques.
Hallmark: use of a comparison group.
Key Skills: Design, conduct, analysis, interpret and communicate research data and
findings.
Evaluation - ANSWER-Purpose: To systematically and objectively determine relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of activities.
Linkages - ANSWER-Purpose: To collaborate with (link to) other public health(care)
professionals and public.
Policy development - ANSWER-Purpose: To provide input, testimony,
recommendations regarding disease control and prevention, reportable disease
regulations and heatlhcare policy.
Epidemiologists describe and compare groups by the following: - ANSWER-1. Counting
(frequencies)
2. Dividing (percentages)
3. Comparing
Counting - ANSWER--counting "cases" and describing them in terms of person, place,
and time. (Case-study population definition development is a key function.)
