Public Health Midterm Exam - Questions and Answers Which of the following is a common source of error in a small epidemiologic study? A. Subjects do not
... [Show More] remember their past exposure B. Subjects do not adhere to the prescribed regimen C. Confounding variables D. Random variation In an intervention study to determine whether a vegetarian diet can help college women to lose weight, 500 residents of a women's dormitory were divided into two groups: one that ate in a vegetarian dining hall and one that ate a normal diet. Women were allowed to choose which group they wished to be in. After three months, the vegetarian group had lost an average of 10 pounds while the control group had not lost weight. What is the most likely source of error in this study? A. Random variation B. Selection bias C. The placebo effect D. Reporting bias Which of the following is a common source of error in a large cohort study? A. Confounding variables B. Subjects do not adhere to the prescribed regimen C. Random variation D. Subjects do not remember their past exposure What is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)? A. A group of researchers who independently verify study results. B. A consumer advocacy group who translates scientific results into consumer-friendly language. C. A branch of the Food and Drug Administration. D. A committee that ensures studies are well designed and ethical. Which of the following is a common source of error in a large randomized controlled trial? A. Random variation B. Subjects do not remember their past exposure C. Confounding variables D. Subjects do not adhere to the prescribed regimen It is hard to conduct studies with human participants because: A. It is hard to control human behavior B. People may not have the motivation to adhere to the study protocols C. People may lie about their behavior during the study D. All of the above are reasons why it is hard to conduct studies with human participants Which of the following is a common source of error in a large case-control study? A. Subjects do not remember their past exposure B. Subjects do not adhere to the prescribed regimen C. Random variation D. Confounding variables In a cohort study that found an association between alcohol consumption and bladder cancer, 20,000 middle-aged men were asked about their drinking habits and then tracked for five years to watch for the development of cancer. Researchers asked the men about their diet and exercise habits, but not about smoking. What is the most likely source of error in this study? A. The placebo effect B. Selection bias C. Reporting bias D. Confounding variables In a case-control study that found an association between breast cancer and air pollution, 500 women who had recently been diagnosed were asked what industries were within a mile of their home twenty years ago. The controls were 500 healthy women. What is the most likely source of error in this study? A. Random variation B. The placebo effect C. Selection bias D. Reporting bias A concept used as a measure of premature mortality is: A. Life expectancy B. Age-adjusted mortality rate C. YPLL D. The p value Which of the following statements is true about risk assessment? A. It includes a judgment of the probability that a harmful event will occur. B. It can always be estimated on the basis of historical data. C. It is the intuitive judgment of the risk of a harmful event or exposure. D. It has found that nuclear power ranks highest of all risks. Which of the following causes of death has the greatest impact on YPLL? A. Cerebrovascular disease B. Suicide C. Chronic lower respiratory disease D. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis A low p-value means: A. There is a low probability that the result is real B. Cause and effect has been established C. There is a low probability that the result occurred by chance D. The test has a high power The death rate in Florida is higher than the death rate in Alaska because: A. Florida has more pollution B. Florida has more crime C. The Florida population is older D. The Florida climate is less healthy The birth rate of a population in the U.S. will be affected by all of the following except: A. Crude death rates B. Cause-specific death rates C. Age adjusted death rates D. None of the above; useful comparisons cannot be made To avoid false positives in a screening program to detect pregnancy, a test must be: A. Highly prevalent B. Highly specific C. Highly sensitive D. Double blind To avoid false negatives in a screening program to detect breast cancer among women over 50 years of age, the test must be: A. Highly prevalent B. Highly sensitive C. Highly specific D. Double blind [Show Less]