Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology

Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology

Author: Gerardo Chowell

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-06-06

Total Pages: 367

ISBN-13: 9048123135

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Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology compiles t- oretical and practical contributions of experts in the analysis of infectious disease epidemics in a single volume. Recent collections have focused in the analyses and simulation of deterministic and stochastic models whose aim is to identify and rank epidemiological and social mechanisms responsible for disease transmission. The contributions in this volume focus on the connections between models and disease data with emphasis on the application of mathematical and statistical approaches that quantify model and data uncertainty. The book is aimed at public health experts, applied mathematicians and sci- tists in the life and social sciences, particularly graduate or advanced undergraduate students, who are interested not only in building and connecting models to data but also in applying and developing methods that quantify uncertainty in the context of infectious diseases. Chowell and Brauer open this volume with an overview of the classical disease transmission models of Kermack-McKendrick including extensions that account for increased levels of epidemiological heterogeneity. Their theoretical tour is followed by the introduction of a simple methodology for the estimation of, the basic reproduction number,R . The use of this methodology 0 is illustrated, using regional data for 1918–1919 and 1968 in uenza pandemics.


Book Synopsis Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology by : Gerardo Chowell

Download or read book Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology written by Gerardo Chowell and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-06-06 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mathematical and Statistical Estimation Approaches in Epidemiology compiles t- oretical and practical contributions of experts in the analysis of infectious disease epidemics in a single volume. Recent collections have focused in the analyses and simulation of deterministic and stochastic models whose aim is to identify and rank epidemiological and social mechanisms responsible for disease transmission. The contributions in this volume focus on the connections between models and disease data with emphasis on the application of mathematical and statistical approaches that quantify model and data uncertainty. The book is aimed at public health experts, applied mathematicians and sci- tists in the life and social sciences, particularly graduate or advanced undergraduate students, who are interested not only in building and connecting models to data but also in applying and developing methods that quantify uncertainty in the context of infectious diseases. Chowell and Brauer open this volume with an overview of the classical disease transmission models of Kermack-McKendrick including extensions that account for increased levels of epidemiological heterogeneity. Their theoretical tour is followed by the introduction of a simple methodology for the estimation of, the basic reproduction number,R . The use of this methodology 0 is illustrated, using regional data for 1918–1919 and 1968 in uenza pandemics.

Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk

Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk

Author: Kung-Jong Lui

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2004-04-02

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 0470094079

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Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk provides coverage of the most important epidemiological indices, and includes recent developments in the field. A useful reference source for biostatisticians and epidemiologists working in disease prevention, as the chapters are self-contained and feature numerous real examples. It has been written at a level suitable for public health professionals with a limited knowledge of statistics. Other key features include: Provides comprehensive coverage of the key epidemiological indices. Includes coverage of various sampling methods, and pointers to where each should be used. Includes up-to-date references and recent developments in the field. Features many real examples, emphasising the practical nature of the book. Each chapter is self-contained, allowing the book to be used as a useful reference source. Includes exercises, enabling use as a course text.


Book Synopsis Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk by : Kung-Jong Lui

Download or read book Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk written by Kung-Jong Lui and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2004-04-02 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Statistical Estimation of Epidemiological Risk provides coverage of the most important epidemiological indices, and includes recent developments in the field. A useful reference source for biostatisticians and epidemiologists working in disease prevention, as the chapters are self-contained and feature numerous real examples. It has been written at a level suitable for public health professionals with a limited knowledge of statistics. Other key features include: Provides comprehensive coverage of the key epidemiological indices. Includes coverage of various sampling methods, and pointers to where each should be used. Includes up-to-date references and recent developments in the field. Features many real examples, emphasising the practical nature of the book. Each chapter is self-contained, allowing the book to be used as a useful reference source. Includes exercises, enabling use as a course text.

Modeling Infectious Disease Parameters Based on Serological and Social Contact Data

Modeling Infectious Disease Parameters Based on Serological and Social Contact Data

Author: Niel Hens

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-10-24

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 1461440726

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Mathematical epidemiology of infectious diseases usually involves describing the flow of individuals between mutually exclusive infection states. One of the key parameters describing the transition from the susceptible to the infected class is the hazard of infection, often referred to as the force of infection. The force of infection reflects the degree of contact with potential for transmission between infected and susceptible individuals. The mathematical relation between the force of infection and effective contact patterns is generally assumed to be subjected to the mass action principle, which yields the necessary information to estimate the basic reproduction number, another key parameter in infectious disease epidemiology. It is within this context that the Center for Statistics (CenStat, I-Biostat, Hasselt University) and the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination and the Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases (CEV, CHERMID, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp) have collaborated over the past 15 years. This book demonstrates the past and current research activities of these institutes and can be considered to be a milestone in this collaboration. This book is focused on the application of modern statistical methods and models to estimate infectious disease parameters. We want to provide the readers with software guidance, such as R packages, and with data, as far as they can be made publicly available.


Book Synopsis Modeling Infectious Disease Parameters Based on Serological and Social Contact Data by : Niel Hens

Download or read book Modeling Infectious Disease Parameters Based on Serological and Social Contact Data written by Niel Hens and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-10-24 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mathematical epidemiology of infectious diseases usually involves describing the flow of individuals between mutually exclusive infection states. One of the key parameters describing the transition from the susceptible to the infected class is the hazard of infection, often referred to as the force of infection. The force of infection reflects the degree of contact with potential for transmission between infected and susceptible individuals. The mathematical relation between the force of infection and effective contact patterns is generally assumed to be subjected to the mass action principle, which yields the necessary information to estimate the basic reproduction number, another key parameter in infectious disease epidemiology. It is within this context that the Center for Statistics (CenStat, I-Biostat, Hasselt University) and the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination and the Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases (CEV, CHERMID, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp) have collaborated over the past 15 years. This book demonstrates the past and current research activities of these institutes and can be considered to be a milestone in this collaboration. This book is focused on the application of modern statistical methods and models to estimate infectious disease parameters. We want to provide the readers with software guidance, such as R packages, and with data, as far as they can be made publicly available.

Statistics for Epidemiology

Statistics for Epidemiology

Author: Nicholas P. Jewell

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2003-08-26

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13: 0203496868

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Statistical ideas have been integral to the development of epidemiology and continue to provide the tools needed to interpret epidemiological studies. Although epidemiologists do not need a highly mathematical background in statistical theory to conduct and interpret such studies, they do need more than an encyclopedia of "recipes." Statistics for Epidemiology achieves just the right balance between the two approaches, building an intuitive understanding of the methods most important to practitioners and the skills to use them effectively. It develops the techniques for analyzing simple risk factors and disease data, with step-by-step extensions that include the use of binary regression. It covers the logistic regression model in detail and contrasts it with the Cox model for time-to-incidence data. The author uses a few simple case studies to guide readers from elementary analyses to more complex regression modeling. Following these examples through several chapters makes it easy to compare the interpretations that emerge from varying approaches. Written by one of the top biostatisticians in the field, Statistics for Epidemiology stands apart in its focus on interpretation and in the depth of understanding it provides. It lays the groundwork that all public health professionals, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians need to successfully design, conduct, and analyze epidemiological studies.


Book Synopsis Statistics for Epidemiology by : Nicholas P. Jewell

Download or read book Statistics for Epidemiology written by Nicholas P. Jewell and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2003-08-26 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Statistical ideas have been integral to the development of epidemiology and continue to provide the tools needed to interpret epidemiological studies. Although epidemiologists do not need a highly mathematical background in statistical theory to conduct and interpret such studies, they do need more than an encyclopedia of "recipes." Statistics for Epidemiology achieves just the right balance between the two approaches, building an intuitive understanding of the methods most important to practitioners and the skills to use them effectively. It develops the techniques for analyzing simple risk factors and disease data, with step-by-step extensions that include the use of binary regression. It covers the logistic regression model in detail and contrasts it with the Cox model for time-to-incidence data. The author uses a few simple case studies to guide readers from elementary analyses to more complex regression modeling. Following these examples through several chapters makes it easy to compare the interpretations that emerge from varying approaches. Written by one of the top biostatisticians in the field, Statistics for Epidemiology stands apart in its focus on interpretation and in the depth of understanding it provides. It lays the groundwork that all public health professionals, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians need to successfully design, conduct, and analyze epidemiological studies.

Mathematical and Statistical Approaches to AIDS Epidemiology

Mathematical and Statistical Approaches to AIDS Epidemiology

Author: Carlos Castillo-Chavez

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-13

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 3642934544

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The 18 research articles of this volume discuss the major themes that have emerged from mathematical and statistical research in the epidemiology of HIV. The opening paper reviews important recent contributions. Five sections follow: Statistical Methodology and Forecasting, Infectivity and the HIV, Heterogeneity and HIV Transmission Dynamics, Social Dynamics and AIDS, and The Immune System and The HIV. In each, leading experts in AIDS epidemiology present the recent results. Some address the role of variable infectivity, heterogeneous mixing, and long periods of infectiousness in the dynamics of HIV; others concentrate on parameter estimation and short-term forecasting. The last section looks at the interaction between the HIV and the immune system.


Book Synopsis Mathematical and Statistical Approaches to AIDS Epidemiology by : Carlos Castillo-Chavez

Download or read book Mathematical and Statistical Approaches to AIDS Epidemiology written by Carlos Castillo-Chavez and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-13 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 18 research articles of this volume discuss the major themes that have emerged from mathematical and statistical research in the epidemiology of HIV. The opening paper reviews important recent contributions. Five sections follow: Statistical Methodology and Forecasting, Infectivity and the HIV, Heterogeneity and HIV Transmission Dynamics, Social Dynamics and AIDS, and The Immune System and The HIV. In each, leading experts in AIDS epidemiology present the recent results. Some address the role of variable infectivity, heterogeneous mixing, and long periods of infectiousness in the dynamics of HIV; others concentrate on parameter estimation and short-term forecasting. The last section looks at the interaction between the HIV and the immune system.

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

Author: Gerardo Chowell

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-08-09

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9783319404110

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The contributions by epidemic modeling experts describe how mathematical models and statistical forecasting are created to capture the most important aspects of an emerging epidemic.Readers will discover a broad range of approaches to address questions, such as Can we control Ebola via ring vaccination strategies? How quickly should we detect Ebola cases to ensure epidemic control? What is the likelihood that an Ebola epidemic in West Africa leads to secondary outbreaks in other parts of the world? When does it matter to incorporate the role of disease-induced mortality on epidemic models? What is the role of behavior changes on Ebola dynamics? How can we better understand the control of cholera or Ebola using optimal control theory? How should a population be structured in order to mimic the transmission dynamics of diseases such as chlamydia, Ebola, or cholera? How can we objectively determine the end of an epidemic? How can we use metapopulation models to understand the role of movement restrictions and migration patterns on the spread of infectious diseases? How can we capture the impact of household transmission using compartmental epidemic models? How could behavior-dependent vaccination affect the dynamical outcomes of epidemic models? The derivation and analysis of the mathematical models addressing these questions provides a wide-ranging overview of the new approaches being created to better forecast and mitigate emerging epidemics. This book will be of interest to researchers in the field of mathematical epidemiology, as well as public health workers.


Book Synopsis Mathematical and Statistical Modeling for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases by : Gerardo Chowell

Download or read book Mathematical and Statistical Modeling for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases written by Gerardo Chowell and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-09 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The contributions by epidemic modeling experts describe how mathematical models and statistical forecasting are created to capture the most important aspects of an emerging epidemic.Readers will discover a broad range of approaches to address questions, such as Can we control Ebola via ring vaccination strategies? How quickly should we detect Ebola cases to ensure epidemic control? What is the likelihood that an Ebola epidemic in West Africa leads to secondary outbreaks in other parts of the world? When does it matter to incorporate the role of disease-induced mortality on epidemic models? What is the role of behavior changes on Ebola dynamics? How can we better understand the control of cholera or Ebola using optimal control theory? How should a population be structured in order to mimic the transmission dynamics of diseases such as chlamydia, Ebola, or cholera? How can we objectively determine the end of an epidemic? How can we use metapopulation models to understand the role of movement restrictions and migration patterns on the spread of infectious diseases? How can we capture the impact of household transmission using compartmental epidemic models? How could behavior-dependent vaccination affect the dynamical outcomes of epidemic models? The derivation and analysis of the mathematical models addressing these questions provides a wide-ranging overview of the new approaches being created to better forecast and mitigate emerging epidemics. This book will be of interest to researchers in the field of mathematical epidemiology, as well as public health workers.

Mathematical Epidemiology

Mathematical Epidemiology

Author: Fred Brauer

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-04-30

Total Pages: 415

ISBN-13: 3540789103

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Based on lecture notes of two summer schools with a mixed audience from mathematical sciences, epidemiology and public health, this volume offers a comprehensive introduction to basic ideas and techniques in modeling infectious diseases, for the comparison of strategies to plan for an anticipated epidemic or pandemic, and to deal with a disease outbreak in real time. It covers detailed case studies for diseases including pandemic influenza, West Nile virus, and childhood diseases. Models for other diseases including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, fox rabies, and sexually transmitted infections are included as applications. Its chapters are coherent and complementary independent units. In order to accustom students to look at the current literature and to experience different perspectives, no attempt has been made to achieve united writing style or unified notation. Notes on some mathematical background (calculus, matrix algebra, differential equations, and probability) have been prepared and may be downloaded at the web site of the Centre for Disease Modeling (www.cdm.yorku.ca).


Book Synopsis Mathematical Epidemiology by : Fred Brauer

Download or read book Mathematical Epidemiology written by Fred Brauer and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-04-30 with total page 415 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on lecture notes of two summer schools with a mixed audience from mathematical sciences, epidemiology and public health, this volume offers a comprehensive introduction to basic ideas and techniques in modeling infectious diseases, for the comparison of strategies to plan for an anticipated epidemic or pandemic, and to deal with a disease outbreak in real time. It covers detailed case studies for diseases including pandemic influenza, West Nile virus, and childhood diseases. Models for other diseases including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, fox rabies, and sexually transmitted infections are included as applications. Its chapters are coherent and complementary independent units. In order to accustom students to look at the current literature and to experience different perspectives, no attempt has been made to achieve united writing style or unified notation. Notes on some mathematical background (calculus, matrix algebra, differential equations, and probability) have been prepared and may be downloaded at the web site of the Centre for Disease Modeling (www.cdm.yorku.ca).

Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases

Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases

Author: Dongmei Chen

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2014-12-08

Total Pages: 496

ISBN-13: 1118629914

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Features modern research and methodology on the spread of infectious diseases and showcases a broad range of multi-disciplinary and state-of-the-art techniques on geo-simulation, geo-visualization, remote sensing, metapopulation modeling, cloud computing, and pattern analysis Given the ongoing risk of infectious diseases worldwide, it is crucial to develop appropriate analysis methods, models, and tools to assess and predict the spread of disease and evaluate the risk. Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features mathematical and spatial modeling approaches that integrate applications from various fields such as geo-computation and simulation, spatial analytics, mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, and health policy. In addition, the book captures the latest advances in the use of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and other location-based technologies in the spatial and temporal study of infectious diseases. Highlighting the current practices and methodology via various infectious disease studies, Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features: Approaches to better use infectious disease data collected from various sources for analysis and modeling purposes Examples of disease spreading dynamics, including West Nile virus, bird flu, Lyme disease, pandemic influenza (H1N1), and schistosomiasis Modern techniques such as Smartphone use in spatio-temporal usage data, cloud computing-enabled cluster detection, and communicable disease geo-simulation based on human mobility An overview of different mathematical, statistical, spatial modeling, and geo-simulation techniques Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases is an excellent resource for researchers and scientists who use, manage, or analyze infectious disease data, need to learn various traditional and advanced analytical methods and modeling techniques, and become aware of different issues and challenges related to infectious disease modeling and simulation. The book is also a useful textbook and/or supplement for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in bioinformatics, biostatistics, public health and policy, and epidemiology.


Book Synopsis Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases by : Dongmei Chen

Download or read book Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases written by Dongmei Chen and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-12-08 with total page 496 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Features modern research and methodology on the spread of infectious diseases and showcases a broad range of multi-disciplinary and state-of-the-art techniques on geo-simulation, geo-visualization, remote sensing, metapopulation modeling, cloud computing, and pattern analysis Given the ongoing risk of infectious diseases worldwide, it is crucial to develop appropriate analysis methods, models, and tools to assess and predict the spread of disease and evaluate the risk. Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features mathematical and spatial modeling approaches that integrate applications from various fields such as geo-computation and simulation, spatial analytics, mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, and health policy. In addition, the book captures the latest advances in the use of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and other location-based technologies in the spatial and temporal study of infectious diseases. Highlighting the current practices and methodology via various infectious disease studies, Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features: Approaches to better use infectious disease data collected from various sources for analysis and modeling purposes Examples of disease spreading dynamics, including West Nile virus, bird flu, Lyme disease, pandemic influenza (H1N1), and schistosomiasis Modern techniques such as Smartphone use in spatio-temporal usage data, cloud computing-enabled cluster detection, and communicable disease geo-simulation based on human mobility An overview of different mathematical, statistical, spatial modeling, and geo-simulation techniques Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases is an excellent resource for researchers and scientists who use, manage, or analyze infectious disease data, need to learn various traditional and advanced analytical methods and modeling techniques, and become aware of different issues and challenges related to infectious disease modeling and simulation. The book is also a useful textbook and/or supplement for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in bioinformatics, biostatistics, public health and policy, and epidemiology.

Statistics in Epidemiology

Statistics in Epidemiology

Author: Hardeo Sahai

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 1995-12-21

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 9780849394447

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Epidemiologic studies provide research strategies for investigating public health and scientific questions relating to the factors that cause and prevent ailments in human populations. Statistics in Epidemiology: Methods, Techniques and Applications presents a comprehensive review of the wide range of principles, methods and techniques underlying prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional approaches to epidemiologic studies. Written for epidemiologists and other researchers without extensive backgrounds in statistics, this new book provides a clear and concise description of the statistical tools used in epidemiology. Emphasis is given to the application of these statistical tools, and examples are provided to illustrate direct methods for applying common statistical techniques in order to obtain solutions to problems. Statistics in Epidemiology: Methods, Techniques and Applications goes beyond the elementary material found in basic epidemiology and biostatistics books and provides a detailed account of techniques:


Book Synopsis Statistics in Epidemiology by : Hardeo Sahai

Download or read book Statistics in Epidemiology written by Hardeo Sahai and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 1995-12-21 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Epidemiologic studies provide research strategies for investigating public health and scientific questions relating to the factors that cause and prevent ailments in human populations. Statistics in Epidemiology: Methods, Techniques and Applications presents a comprehensive review of the wide range of principles, methods and techniques underlying prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional approaches to epidemiologic studies. Written for epidemiologists and other researchers without extensive backgrounds in statistics, this new book provides a clear and concise description of the statistical tools used in epidemiology. Emphasis is given to the application of these statistical tools, and examples are provided to illustrate direct methods for applying common statistical techniques in order to obtain solutions to problems. Statistics in Epidemiology: Methods, Techniques and Applications goes beyond the elementary material found in basic epidemiology and biostatistics books and provides a detailed account of techniques:

Modern Methods for Epidemiology

Modern Methods for Epidemiology

Author: Yu-Kang Tu

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-05-22

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13: 9400730241

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Routine applications of advanced statistical methods on real data have become possible in the last ten years because desktop computers have become much more powerful and cheaper. However, proper understanding of the challenging statistical theory behind those methods remains essential for correct application and interpretation, and rarely seen in the medical literature. Modern Methods for Epidemiology provides a concise introduction to recent development in statistical methodologies for epidemiological and biomedical researchers. Many of these methods have become indispensible tools for researchers working in epidemiology and medicine but are rarely discussed in details by standard textbooks of biostatistics or epidemiology. Contributors of this book are experienced researchers and experts in their respective fields. This textbook provides a solid starting point for those who are new to epidemiology, and for those looking for guidance in more modern statistical approaches to observational epidemiology. Epidemiological and biomedical researchers who wish to overcome the mathematical barrier of applying those methods to their research will find this book an accessible and helpful reference for self-learning and research. This book is also a good source for teaching postgraduate students in medical statistics or epidemiology.


Book Synopsis Modern Methods for Epidemiology by : Yu-Kang Tu

Download or read book Modern Methods for Epidemiology written by Yu-Kang Tu and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-05-22 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Routine applications of advanced statistical methods on real data have become possible in the last ten years because desktop computers have become much more powerful and cheaper. However, proper understanding of the challenging statistical theory behind those methods remains essential for correct application and interpretation, and rarely seen in the medical literature. Modern Methods for Epidemiology provides a concise introduction to recent development in statistical methodologies for epidemiological and biomedical researchers. Many of these methods have become indispensible tools for researchers working in epidemiology and medicine but are rarely discussed in details by standard textbooks of biostatistics or epidemiology. Contributors of this book are experienced researchers and experts in their respective fields. This textbook provides a solid starting point for those who are new to epidemiology, and for those looking for guidance in more modern statistical approaches to observational epidemiology. Epidemiological and biomedical researchers who wish to overcome the mathematical barrier of applying those methods to their research will find this book an accessible and helpful reference for self-learning and research. This book is also a good source for teaching postgraduate students in medical statistics or epidemiology.