The University of Western Sydney
School of Science and Health
Introduction to Epidemiology (401076)
ASSIGNMENT 3
Spring, 2017
Due date: 29 October, 2017 midnight
This assignment is based on the learning objectives and concepts in Topics 6-12, but may also require knowledge from Topics 1-5. There are a total of 100 marks and this assignment will contribute 50% towards the total assessment for this subject. The marking matrix that will be used for this assignment is also attached.
Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions. Assignments should be submitted via vUWS. See specific instructions below relating to the format of Assignment 3. Be as concise as possible in your answers, and note that there are specified space-limitations for each question.
Please note this is an individual exercise.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.
Select one of the following papers:
Wu M, Wang, C, Bai Y, Huang, C, Lee S. Outcomes of obese Clozapine-treated in-patients with schizophrenia placed on six-month diet and physical activity program. Psychiatrics services, 2007;58(4):544
Terry P, Lagergren J, Wolk A, Nyrén O. Reflux-Inducing Dietary Factors and Risk of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia. Nutrition and Cancer 2000;38:186-191
Reflect upon the content of the topics we have covered in this course, and critically appraise the article you have selected by answering the following questions. You may use additional source material as you need to.
Please use your own words.
Review the University of Western Sydney plagiarism policy before starting (see the Course Learning guide).!!

The following questions are guide to your essay as these points should be addressed. These are all epidemiological concepts that we covered in the course but you are free to arrange them differently under sub-heading or stick to question answer format if you find it difficult.
1) Overview of the paper you selected.
-What is the issue addressed in the paper, is it important novel?
- What was the exposure or intervention? -What was the outcome?
-What was the study design?
-What was the study population?
-What were the main findings? Were the authors advise for future direction or about the study implication
2) Appraise the internal validity -
To what extent can the observed association between the exposure and outcome be attributed to non-causal explanations? Consider the following questions in your critique: -Are the results likely to be affected by biases including confounding,
-Are the results likely to be affected by chance variation? Are they clearly presented
3) Do you believe a causal association between exposure and outcome is plausible? Is the finding within the study consistent – has any interaction or special mechanism was illustrated/suggested
4) Appraise the external validity of the finding and the overall quality of the discussion section, -Can the findings be applied to the source population from which the study population was derived? -Can the study results be applied to other relevant populations?
ASSIGNMENT 3 FORMATTING
Your paper should be around 2,500 ±300 words- Please ensure that your assignment complies with the following formatting specifications. Assignments that do not comply with these specifications will not be marked.
Format: A single Word document file
Page Limits: As indicated for each question (see questions above)
Paper Size: Standard A4 (210 x 297mm)
Margins: All margins at least 2.0cm.
Font At least 12 point and Times New Roman only
Line spacing: Must be set to 1.5 line spacing or double.
Character spacing: Spacing must be set to normal. Scale must be set to 100%.
Web Links: Links to additional information on any website must not be included in your assignment
Graphics: Graphics (pictures, diagrams etc) may be included in the response if contained within the page limits provided.
Tables: Tabulated information may be included if contained within the page limits provided.
References: APA . Attach references as a separate page at the end of your Assignment. Reference list is not included within page limits. It is recommended to use at least 5 references that are not related to course materials
ASSIGNMENT 3 MARKING Refer to Rubric
(1) ‘Structure organisation language word limit, style and referencing (10%)
(2) ‘Content:
Overview - 20%
Internal validity - 30%
Causality - 20%
External validity 20%
Remove the pages 1-3
Keep the next page Submission Form
Assignment Cover Sheet
School of Science & Health
Student name:
Student number:
Unit name and number: 401076
Tutorial group:
Tutorial day and time:
Unit Coordinator: Professor Dafna Merom
Title of assignment:
Length:
Date due:
Date submitted:
Campus enrolment:
Declaration:
? I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged.
? I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other student’s work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the assignment.
? I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been submitted by me in another (previous or current) assessment, except where appropriately referenced, and with prior permission from the Lecturer/Tutor/ Unit Co-ordinator for this unit.
? No part of the assignment/product has been written/produced for me by any other person except where collaboration has been authorised by the Lecturer/Tutor/Unit Co-ordinator concerned.
? I am aware that this work will be reproduced and submitted to plagiarism detection software programs for the purpose of detecting possible plagiarism (which may retain a copy on its database for future plagiarism checking).
Signature:______________________________________
Note: An examiner or lecturer/tutor has the right to not mark this assignment if the above declaration has not been signed