Theoretical Epidemiology

This text treats theoretical epidemiology as the discipline of how to study the occurrence of phenomena of interest in the health field. It delineates major principles of study design and data analysis in research into the frequency of occurrence of illness and related phenomena in human populations whether in the community or in clinical situations. Thus it is concerned with the principles of the dominant type of research in applied medical science and in health care administration. Moreover, the principles of research of this type in medicine are not peculiar to the study of illness, health and health care, nor to studies on humans. They apply equally to statistical research in psychology, behavioral science, technology, and other fields. The intent is to provide the reader with the necessary theoretical background for dealing with occurrence research in medicine - for thinking about it; for reviewing it; and for conducting it.