What are the Key Responsibilities of External Auditors?
The responsibilities of external auditors in epidemiology include:
Reviewing Study Design: Assessing the research question, hypotheses, and study design to ensure they are scientifically sound. Evaluating Data Collection Methods: Ensuring that data collection methods are appropriate, standardized, and capable of producing reliable data. Analyzing Data Quality: Checking for data completeness, consistency, and accuracy. Assessing Statistical Analyses: Verifying that the statistical methods used are suitable for the data and research question. Ensuring Ethical Compliance: Confirming that the study adheres to ethical guidelines and has obtained necessary approvals from institutional review boards (IRBs). Reporting Findings: Providing a comprehensive report that outlines the audit findings, including any identified issues and recommendations for improvement.