Changes

Again, although the timing of disease (within the study period) is implicit in any investigation, some studies may investigate temporal patterns of disease further. One example of this is outbreak investigation,  where the number of cases of disease within a population over time may be plotted in the form of an 'epidemic curve'. This can provide useful information regarding trends of disease, and may advise upon the effectiveness of any control measures instigated.<br>

Again, although the timing of disease (within the study period) is implicit in any investigation, some studies may investigate temporal patterns of disease further. One example of this is outbreak investigation,  where the number of cases of disease within a population over time may be plotted in the form of an 'epidemic curve'. This can provide useful information regarding trends of disease, and may advise upon the effectiveness of any control measures instigated.<br>

Descriptive studies therefore provide a very useful tool in the investigation of levels of disease in populations, as well as in the crude monitoring of the effect of an intervention or exposure to a risk factor. However, in a purely descriptive study, no attempt is made to formally investigate reasons for the patterns of disease observed, although hypotheses regarding possible reasons will commonly be generated and developed as a result of these investigations.

Descriptive studies are therefore a very useful tool in the investigation of levels of disease in populations, as well as in the crude monitoring of the effect of an intervention or exposure to a risk factor. However, in a purely descriptive study, no attempt is made to formally investigate reasons for the patterns of disease observed, although hypotheses regarding possible reasons will commonly be generated and developed as a result of these investigations.

[[Category:Veterinary Epidemiology - Introduction|C]]

[[Category:Veterinary Epidemiology - Introduction|C]]