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Unit 11: Evaluating Epidemiologic Literature

Unit 11: Evaluating Epidemiologic Literature. Unit 11 Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize uniform guidelines used in preparing manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed epidemiologic journals. 2. Understand general guidelines used to evaluate epidemiologic literature. Overview.

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Unit 11: Evaluating Epidemiologic Literature

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  1. Unit 11: Evaluating Epidemiologic Literature

  2. Unit 11 Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize uniform guidelines used in preparing manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed epidemiologic journals. 2. Understand general guidelines used to evaluate epidemiologic literature.

  3. Overview ---Publication in “respected” epidemiologic journals involves “peer review”, a process in which outside “experts” review the suitability of manuscripts submitted for publication. ---In spite this system of checks and balances, numerous examples abound of published epidemiologic studies with poor designs, inappropriate analyses, and unsubstantiated conclusions.

  4. Overview ---In virtually all epidemiologic journals, as well as journals from other disciplines, a standard format is used for manuscript preparation: --- Abstract (summary of the paper) --- Introduction --- Methods --- Results --- Discussion

  5. Overview Within the health sciences, uniform guidelines for manuscript preparation are provided in the document: “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals”

  6. Manuscript Format Abstract (summary of the paper): ---Usually 250 words or less. ---Contains a brief summary of each major section of the paper (introduction, methods, results, conclusions). ---Probably the most important part of the paper, since many persons will only read the abstract.

  7. Manuscript Format Introduction: ---Typically limited to a few paragraphs. ---Frames the purpose and public health significance of the research by contrasting the study objective with a brief literature review of current state of knowledge. ---The research hypothesis(es) to be investigated/tested should be clearly stated.

  8. Manuscript Format Methods: ---Describes how the study was carried out. ---Includes a description of the study population, exposure and outcome variables, data collection methods, statistical analyses, etc. ---Should be of sufficient detail so that the reader can critically evaluate the work without having to consult outside sources.

  9. Manuscript Format Results: ---Describes what was found in the study. ---Should correspond directly with the stated research hypothesis(es). ---Tables and figures should be judiciously used; text descriptions should not be largely redundant with data in tables and figures.

  10. Manuscript Format Discussion: ---Describes what was learned from the study and public health implications of the findings. ---Should not be a large re-statement of text from the Results section. ---Should not include presentation of “new” findings not presented in Results section.

  11. Manuscript Format Discussion (cont.): ---Should contrast results with similar previous studies, including possible explanations for differences. ---Should candidly acknowledge study limitations (all studies have some limitations). ---Should state to whom the results most likely apply (generalize).

  12. General guidelines forevaluating epidemiologicliterature

  13. Evaluation Guidelines In the subsequent slides, the following abbreviations are used:A: AbstractI: IntroductionM: MethodsR: ResultsD: Discussion

  14. Evaluation Guidelines

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  24. Class Exercise From the article “Snoring as a Risk Factor for Type Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study (AJE 2002; 155:387-393): Questions from the Abstract: 1) What was the primary exposure variable of interest? 2) What was the primary outcome variable of interest? 3) What type of epidemiologic study design was used? 4) What were the primary study inclusion criteria? 5) How was the primary exposure ascertained? 6) What were the general results overall for the association between the exposure and outcome of interest? 7) Was there any suggestion of effect modification?

  25. Class Exercise From the article “Snoring as a Risk Factor for Type Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study (AJE 2002; 155:387-393): Questions from Table 2: 8) What was the reference (control) group used in the analysis? 9) The initial results were adjusted for age. Was the evidence that body mass index (BMI) was a confounder? 10) Provide an interpretation for the final results presented in the multivariate adjusted model.

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