Biostatistics and Epidemiology: A Primer for Health and Biomedical Professionals

For the new edition of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Dr. Wassertheil-Smoller has included several new chapters (genetic statistics, molecular epidemiology, scientific integrity and research ethics) and a new appendix on the basic concepts of genetics and a glossary of genetic terminology. She has also expanded the coverage of multi-center trials (an important aspect of implementation of the standards of evidence-based medicine), controversies in screening for prostate, colon, breast, and other cancers.

Since the publication of the first edition, BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY has continued to garner loyal readers from across speciality areas in the biomedical community. BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY provides clear, concise explanations of the underlying principles of statistics and epidemiology, as well as practical guidelines of "how to do it" and "how to interpret it."

Through its several editions, BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY has continued to adapt to evolving areas of research in epidemiology and statistics, while maintaining the original objective of being non-threatening, understandable and accessible to those with limited or no background in mathematics. Two new areas are covered in the third edition: genetic epidemiology and research ethics.

With the sequencing of the human genome, there has been a flowering of research into the genetic basis of health and disease, and especially the interactions between genes and environmental exposures. The medical literature in genetic epidemiology is vastly expanding and some knowledge of the epidemiological designs and an acquaintance with the statistical methods used in such research is necessary in order to be able to appreciate new findings. Thus this edition includes a new chapter on genetic epidemiology as well as an Appendix describing the basics necessary for an understanding of genetic research. Such material is not usually found in first level epidemiology or statistics books, but it is presented here in a basic, and hopefully easily comprehensible way, for those unfamiliar with the field. The second new chapter is on research ethics, also not usually covered in basic textbooks, but critically important in all human research . New material has also been added to several existing chapters.

I hope this book will be useful to diverse groups of people in the health field, as well as to those in related areas. The material is intended for (1) physicians doing clinical research as well as for those doing basic research; (2) for students-medical, college, and graduate; (3) for research staff in various capacities; and (4) for anyone interested in the logic and methodology of biostatistics and epidemiology. The principles and methods described here are applicable to various substantive areas, including medicine, public health, psychology, and education. (from the Preface)

Whether used as a brief textbook in a classroom or as a refresher for more advanced readers, BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY has become a well-thumbed and battered resource in many a classroom, department library and lab. With the explosion of biomedical research and publishing in the past few years, understanding the statistical validity of the results of both basic research and clinical trials has never been more important. This new third edition of BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY serves as the roadmap to understanding these complex and important topics.