CQUniversity Unit Profile.

The quizzes determine how well you understand fundamental epidemiological and statistical concepts and calculations, and their application in public health. Quiz 1 is due by 11:59pm AEST Friday week 4; Quiz 2 is due in week 5.

• Given the relevant data, interpret measures of disease frequency and association and other population health data, and their relevance in social epidemiological contexts: (40%)
• Given relevant data, interpret types of statistical methods and their application: (40%)
• Describe appropriate study designs to investigate causal factors for acute diseases and chronic diseases: (10%)
• All work submitted is the student's: (10%)

The presentation presents the epidemiological background of your allocated topic (see details above), including data (and a critique of those data) that will inform your literature review (assessment #4). The 10-minute presentation will:

• Give an overview of the topic
• Providing relevant epidemiological data to give context
• Explain how social factors influence your chosen topic and identify and critique the epidemiological data, including strengths and weaknesses
• Identify high-risk groups and show the way in which social factors may impact on risk. This may include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, populations on a low income, older adults, or other specific populations that would be impacted by strategies to address the chosen topic in the community of interest.

Your presentation slides must include the following:

• Title slide – include the topic and the full name and ID number of each contributing student;
• A final slide containing the references cited (Harvard style);
• Each slide (excepting the Title and Reference slides) should include background research information in the Notes area and citations for that slide
• Allow for ~ one minute per slide ie typically, in a 10 minute presentation you would have 10-12 slides of content.

Each group will prepare a single presentation (Distance students may have the option to submit individually). Each student prepares the material for at least one slide in the presentation identified with the student’s name, and prepares the text (background information) for presentation for his or her slide. Your slides should be easy to read, uncluttered, and facilitate understanding of your audience. Plan carefully and time your 10 minute presentation: you will be penalised after this time. The group may choose one or two students to present or each member may present his or her own slide.

There are many guides to effective design and presentation available on the internet and through the Library. You are strongly recommended to access these!

Your topic for the Group presentation and Individual Literature Review is chosen early in term. The topics below are broad: for instance, in topic 3 you could focus on a particular disease (eg malaria or dengue fever) or population. Talk to your unit coordinator/tutor about the focus you wish to take, or if you have a particular alternate topic you are interested in.* Assessment topics in Term 1 2022 include:

1. Meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of Gender Equality: challenges and achievements

2. Health consequences of a changing climate through an equity lens

3. Vector-borne diseases in the 21^st century

* Alternate topics cannot include any of those from the previous three years of this Unit.

• Epidemiological data relevant to the topic are presented and summarized: 20%
• Critique of data is presented: 20%
• Needs of vulnerable groups relevant to implementing a strategy to address the assigned condition are outlined and discussed: 20%
• Student's individual contribution is significant and shows understanding of the topic as well as of the element presented: 20%
• Language of the presentation (oral and written) is clear and easily understood: 10%
• All work reflects the students' own thinking and words, referencing is correctly and accurately done, and any direct quotations are properly identified according to academic convention: 10%

Determines how well you understand fundamental epidemiological and statistical concepts and their application in public health.

• Use of Microsoft Excel to summarise features of data graphically and numerically and interpret summaries: (30%)
• Given the relevant data, interpret measures of disease frequency and association and other population health data, and their relevance in epidemiological contexts: (30%)
• Describe appropriate study designs to investigate causal factors for acute diseases and chronic diseases: (20%)
• Use of clear, concise language and presentation of responses: (10%)
• All work submitted is the student's original words and ideas and all information from sources is properly cited: (10%)

The literature review provides an overview of the social epidemiological aspects of your topic which was chosen for your Assessment 2 Presentation. It summarises broad trends in the literature on your topic and highlights important points in selected articles. The review task includes:

• Outlining the relevant social, environmental and economic contexts that relate to your condition and discuss the factors that influence those contexts.
• Critiquing previous national and international epidemiological data and research with a particular emphasis on the gaps that may exist in our understanding of the impact of social factors on your condition.
• Considering the relevance of the reported statistics and findings to advocating for health promotion and disease prevention in public health practice.

This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment: you may not work together with your classmates to write the review.

The Literature Review is due in the last week of Term. However, your preparation should commence at Week 1 to choose your topic, familiarize yourself with the Library and its academic databases, how to conduct literature searches (and reviews), select material and structure your Review. The University library and CQU Student Learning Support provide online guides and individual sessions; and workshops on academic writing, academic integrity and referencing. You also have access to resources such as Studiosity.

Choosing the literature to include in your assignment is important. Only peer-reviewed scholarly material should be used. You need to note various views and approaches contained in the literature and to choose works to include without bias or preconceived ideas. Journal articles are often more relevant than books due to the long lead time between the writing and publication of books and because journals are often the forum where the latest thinking on a topic appears.

• Selection of relevant, current and appropriate items from the scholarly literature: 20%
• Thorough and accurate summary and critique of the selected literature: 20%
• Discussion of social, economic, and environmental context and the factors that influence them: 20%
• Presentation of various views represented in the literature and discussion of their strengths and weaknesses: 20%
• Use of clear, concise language and linear presentation of argument: 10%
• All work submitted is the student's original words and ideas and all information from sources is properly cited, including direct quotations: 10%