Field Guide
From EpiDataWiki
Contents |
Field Guide
Creator of this field guide : Lauritsen J & Arias P in collaboration. (Unless other names are given).
Scope and Intention
The intention of this field guide is to take the reader from the starting point of creating a data structure, proceed by introducing the tools (EpiData Entry and EpiData Analysis) and then with case studies show in more detail how to continue.
See also the section on what to do when things go wrong.
From Idea to Data
| Competencies Addressed | Define data structures Document Data Structures |
|---|---|
| Summary | This chapter will introduce you to design of data bases, how to formulate questions, etc. Read this before you design a questionnaire and decide on data structure for a given study. |
Getting to know the tools
An Introduction to EpiData Entry
| Competencies Addressed | Getting basic knowledge on the Entry module of EpiData |
|---|---|
| Summary | EpiData Entry is used for simple or programmed data entry and data documentation. Entry handles simple forms or related systems Optimised documentation and error detection features. E.g. double entry verification, list of ID numbers in several files, codebook overview of data, date added to backup and encryption procedures. |
An introduction to EpiData Analysis
| Competencies Addressed | Getting basic knowledge on the Analysis module of EpiData |
|---|---|
| Summary | EpiData Analysis performs basic statistical analysis, graphs, and comprehensive data management. E.g. descriptive statistics, SPC Charts, Recoding data, label values and variables. Defining missing values. |
How to continue when things go wrong
- Assistance when you find is not working - Mutual help principle
EpiData is made with a very low budget and there is no salaried personnel. - remember this when you approach someone for help. No one is employed to assist you directly. Why is this ? - The software is available for free and no baseline budget is available. But there are many ways to help yourself or get assistance anyway.
Follow the suggestions shown in this chapter, click on the title to find the text.
Case Studies
Oswego outbreak
| Case Study Title | Oswego-An Outbreak of Gastrointestinal Illness Following a Church Supper |
|---|---|
| Setting and Year | Oswego County, New York, 1940 |
| Type of Agent | Biological |
| Specific Agent | Staphylococci |
| Modes of Transmission | Foodborne |
| Competencies Addressed | DataBase Managenment and Documentation Data Analysis Descritive Studies: Time, Place, Person Analytical Studies: Retrospective Cohort Study Using Software during Outbreak investigation |
| Source | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Creator/Adapter/T. Advisor | P. Arias (Adapter) J. Lauritsen (Epidata Technical Advisor) |
| Summary | This case study is based on an investigation conducted by the New York State Department of Public Health Division. The case study was developed by Wendell Ames, MD, Stafford Wheeler, MD, and Alexander Langmuir, MD in the early 1940s. It has been substantially updated and edited since then by several people including: Philip Brachman, Michael Gregg, and Richard Dicker. This adaptation is focused on the database management and analytical aspects rather than in the epidemiological aspects of an Outbreak Investigation. |
A gastroenteritis outbreak in Germany
| Case Study Title | An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis gastroenteritis following tiramisu consumption at a high school graduation ceremony, Germany, June 1998: Using EpiData in an Outbreak Investigation |
|---|---|
| Setting and Year | Stegen, Germany, 1998 |
| Type of Agent | Biological |
| Specific Agent | Salmonella Enteritidis |
| Modes of Transmission | Foodborne |
| Competencies Addressed | Data Analysis Descritive Studies: Time, Place, Person Analytical Studies: Retrospective Cohort Study vs. Case Control Study Using Software during Outbreak investigation |
| Source | Robert Koch Institute/EPIET |
| Creator/Adapter T. Advisor | P. Arias (Adapter) J. Lauritsen (Epidata Technical Advisor) |
| Summary | This case study is based on an investigation conducted by the Rober Koch Institute and the Public Health Office of Freiburg, Germany. The original case study was developed by Alain More (EPIET). This adaptation is focused on the data management and analytical aspects of the outbreak investigation. |
Examples of future case studies that could be included
Bicyclists' Risky Behaviour
Special types of Graphs
References and links
The first version of this guide was supported financially by the Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, Public Health Agency of Canada for use in its Epidemiology in Action Course, Ottawa Sept. 2006.
