Includes bibliographical references and index

Basic study designs in analytical epidemiology -- Measuring disease occurrence -- Measuring associations between exposures and outcomes -- Understanding lack of validity : bias -- Identifying noncausal associations : confounding -- Defining and assessing heterogeneity of effects : interaction -- Stratification and adjustment : multivariate analysis in epidemiology -- Quality assurance and control -- Communicating results of epidemiologic studies -- Epidemiologic issues in the interface with public health policy

Written for those who are familiar with the basic strategies of analytic epidemiology, This fourth edition takes readers through a rigorous discussion of key epidemiologic concepts and methods such as study design, measures of association, research assessment, and more. With real-life examples throughout, the book avoids complex statistical formulations and is an invaluable resource for intermediate students and practicing epidemiologists who wish to expand their knowledge of epidemiology and its role in the medical and public health sciences