Epidemiologists use various assessment methods to gather and analyze data. The primary methods include:
1. Descriptive Studies: These studies describe the occurrence of diseases in populations. They include case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies. 2. Analytical Studies: These studies investigate the causes and risk factors of diseases. They include cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). 3. Surveillance Systems: These systems continuously monitor the occurrence of diseases and other health-related events.