From Theory to Practice in Environmental Epidemiology: Developing, Conducting and Disseminating Health Research

This Manual is one of the deliverables from an international collaborative research project undertaken in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan. It stems from an environmental epidemiology study, entitled “Cancer incidence and mortality in the industrial city of Sumgayit, Azerbaijan: A descriptive study”. One of the major aims of the project was to strengthen local research capacity in Azerbaijan. This Manual is addressed primarily to novice researchers, health care professionals, and medical or graduate students interested in the conduct of epidemiological research, especially in data-poor regions of the world. It can be used as a complement to intermediate level courses in epidemiology and biostatistics.The Manual discusses the various steps necessary to successfully plan and conduct an epidemiological research study, to anticipate and address many issues that may arise during a research study, and to produce and publish research findings in the international literature.While fundamental concepts and research methods are first presented in a more theoretical manner, practical examples of implementing these methods also are provided in case study format, drawn from the research conducted for the Sumgayit Cancer Study. Despite the fact that the examples are derived from a single environmental epidemiology cancer study, the utility of this Manual extends to other specialized fields of epidemiological research. This Manual is intended for dissemination to several target audiences in regions of the world where health research capacity is being built, including universities and government departments, nongovernmental organizations and other research institutions.

Keywords
EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH DESIGN
EPIDEMIOLOGICMEASUREMENTS
BIOMETRY
GUIDELINES
ENVIRONMENTALMONITORING
NEOPLASMS – epidemiology