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Topic A:
Survey Methods
Faculty:
- Diane Martin
- Allison Brooks
Main Teaching Points:
Understand what types of research questions can be addressed by survey methods
Understand the limitations and difficulties of survey research
Learn about the variety of survey techniques
Definitions:
Survey: An investigation in which information is systematically collected but in which the experimental method is not used. A population survey may be conducted by face-to-face inquiry, by self-completed questionnaires, by telephone, postal service, or in some other way. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a face-to-face (interview) survey may be a better way than self-completed questionnaire to collect information on attitudes or feelings, but it is more costly. Existing medical or other records may contain accurate information, but not about a representative sample of the population.
The information that is gathered in a survey is usually complex enough to require editing (for accuracy, completeness, etc.) coding, keypunching, i.e., entry on punch cards and processing and analysis by machine or computer. The generalizability of results depends upon the extent to which the surveyed population is representative. The term "survey" is sometimes used in a narrow sense to refer specifically to a field survey.
[Definition from: Last, JM (ed). A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, New York, 1988.]
Reading Material Provided Online:
Dillman D. The Design and Administration of Mail Surveys. Annual Review of Sociology. 1991;17:225-249.
Suggested Readings:
Dillman DA. Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. 2000. John Wiley & Sons.
Salant, P, Dillman DA. How to Conduct Your Own Survey. New York: Wiley & Sons, 1994.
Instrument Review Criteria. Medical Outcomes Trust Bulletin. Boston Medical Outcomes Trust, 1995.
Aday, LA. Designing and Conducting Health Surveys, 2nd ed. Jossey-Bass
Hulley & Cummings, Designing Clinical Research, Chapter 5 ( in which you’ll learn about double barreled questions and why to avoid them …)
Topic B:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Review
Faculty:
- Paul Crane
- Beth Tarini
Session Goals:
Learn the types of questions best addressed by Meta-analysis / Systematic Review
Understand the basic study design techniques in Meta-analysis / Systematic Review
Understand the role of Meta-analysis in performing a cost-effectiveness analysis
Understand the overall goals, main uses and procedural steps of CEA
Definitions:
Meta-Analysis: The process of using statistical methods to combine the results of different studies. In the biomedical sciences, the systematic, organized and structured evaluation of a problem of interest, using information (commonly in the form statistical tables or other data) from a number of independent studies of the problem. A frequent application has been the pooling of results from a number of small, randomized controlled trials, none in itself large enough to demonstrate statistically significant differences but in aggregate, capable of so doing.
Decision Analysis: . . . involves identifying all available choices, and potential outcomes of each, in a series of decisions that have to be made about aspects of patient care – diagnostic procedures, therapeutic regimens, prognostic expectations. Epidemiological data play a large part in determining the probabilities of outcomes following each choice that has to be made. The range of choices can be plotted in a decision tree . . .
Cost-effectiveness analysis: This form of analysis seeks to determine the costs and effectiveness of an activity, or to compare similar alternative activities to determine the relative degree to which they will obtain the desired objectives or outcomes. The preferred action or alternative is one that requires the least cost to produce a given level of effectiveness, or provides the greatest effectiveness for a given level of cost. In the health care field, outcomes are measured in terms of health status.
[Definitions from: Last, JM (ed). A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, New York, 1988.]
Reading Material Provided Online:
Egger M, Smith GD. Meta-Analysis. Potentials and promise. [Review]. BMJ. 1997;315:1371-4.
Egger M, Smith GD, Phillips AN. Meta-analysis: principles and procedures. BMJ. 1997;315:1533-7.
Garber, AM, Weinstein MC, Torrance GW, Kamlet MS. “Theoretical Foundations of Cost-Effective Analysis.” In Gold MR, Siegel LB, Russell B, Milton C, Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Suggested Readings:
Petitti, DB. Meta-Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Methods for Quantitative Synthesis in Medicine. New York: Oxford, 1994.
Drummond, MF, et al. Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford, 1997.
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Last Updated: 06/30/05
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