Initial costs in epidemiological studies can be broken down into several components:
Personnel Costs: Salaries and wages for researchers, data collectors, analysts, and administrative staff. Equipment and Supplies: Costs for laboratory equipment, data collection tools, and other necessary materials. Training and Development: Expenditures on training programs for staff to ensure they are well-versed in study protocols and data collection methods. Pilot Testing: Costs associated with conducting small-scale preliminary studies to test the feasibility and reliability of the study design. Miscellaneous Costs: Other expenses such as travel, communication, and administrative overheads.
