Introduction to Epidemiology Assignment 2

The University of Western Sydney
School of Science and Health
Introduction to Epidemiology (401076)
ASSIGNMENT 2
SCCS2, 2019
Due date: 11:30 PM, 08 September 2019
This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in Topics 2-5 but
may also require knowledge from Topic 1. There are a total of 60 marks and this
assignment will contribute 30% towards the total assessment for this subject.
Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions.
Assignments should be submitted via vUWS (see specific instructions relating to
Assignment 2 on the 401076 vUWS web-site). Be as brief as possible in your answers
and use the number of marks for a question as a guide to how much to write. No
answers need to be longer than a few short sentences or short paragraphs. Please note
this is an individual exercise.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.

Question 1: [24]
Read the following paper, and answer the questions below:
“Wilcox AJ, Lie RT, Solvoll K, Taylor J, McConnaughey DR, Abyholm F, et al.
Folic acid supplements and risk of facial clefts: national population based case-control
study. BMJ 2007;334(7591):464.”
(a) “What study design does this study employ?” [2 mark]
(b) “What justification do the authors provide for conducting this study?” [2 marks]
(c) “Can the same research question could be explored in Randomised Controlled
trial, explain why yes or why not?” [4 marks]
(d) “What was the overall crude and adjusted OR of cleft lip with or without cleft
palate in those consuming ≥400μg of folic acid per day compared to no consumption
of folic acid.” [4 mark]

(e) “How would you interpret the finding in 4 (d)?” [4 marks]
(f) “The authors state that the controls in this study are population-based controls -
are they? Why or why not?” [4 marks]
(g) “What could be the source of measurement bias in this study and did the authors
tried to alleviate this problem. Explain with evidence from the text.” [4 marks]