Analytic Approaches in Epidemiology

The following post has two assignments namely;

1.Analytic Approaches in Epidemiology

QUESTION 1: A prospective cohort study of psychiatric outpatients with a history of suicidal ideation was conducted, investigating the effect of alcohol consumption and incidence of attempted suicide over a follow-up period of 24 months. The data at the end of the follow-up period for males and females are given below. Males Alcohol consumption Cases Participants Light 5 250 Heavy 23 375 Females Alcohol consumption Cases Participants Light 25 250 Heavy 52 167 Assume no loss to follow-up and that all participants were followed over the follow-up period. Discuss statistical interaction and confounding by sex for the following effect measures -Risk difference -Risk ratio -Odds ratio QUESTION 2 [10 marks] Propose a causal diagram of the relationship between alcohol consumption and attempted suicide, based on the variables provided above. Provide a narrative description (1 paragraph only) of the causal diagram incorporating findings from your analysis in Question 1. QUESTION 3 [10 marks] Name 5 advantages of Propensity Score Methods. QUESTION 4 [30 marks] The data in the table below are taken from the National Mental Health Survey, a large, nationally representative cross-sectional prevalence survey estimating 12-month prevalence of a range of mental health, service use, and disability factors in addition to socio-demographic variables. Similar questions regarding alcohol consumption and suicidal behaviour were asked of participants. An extract of the data are given below, stratified by males and females. Males Alcohol consumption Cases Participants Light 31 2885 Heavy 7 1109 Females Alcohol consumption Cases Participants Light 26 4387 Heavy 4 542 Discuss statistical interaction and confounding by sex for the following effect measures: -Risk difference -Risk ratio -Odds ratio In your discussion compare your estimates with those from Question 1. Comment on similarities or differences on effect estimates, and likely reasons for these similarities or differences (limit of 2 pages).

2.Dissertation (Proposal)

1. Formulate a research proposal with clearly defined aims and objectives appropriate to their chosen pathway. 2. Critically evaluate the scholarly literature related to the chosen research area. 3. Demonstrate the skills of data collection, analysis and synthesis necessary for the formation of defensible conclusions and, where relevant, appropriate recommendations. 4. Structure and communicate ideas and arguments effectively and reference source materials consistently and accurately using the Harvard referencing system.