Data collection and analysis are at the heart of epidemiological research. Key methods include:
- Surveillance Systems: These are ongoing systematic collections, analysis, and interpretation of health data. Surveillance helps monitor trends and detect outbreaks.
- Epidemiological Studies: Various study designs such as cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies are used to investigate associations between risk factors and health outcomes.
- Statistical Analysis: Epidemiologists use statistical tools to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions. Commonly used methods include regression analysis and survival analysis.
