Assignment: Minimizing Bias And Confounding

Assignment: Minimizing Bias And Confounding

Assignment: Minimizing Bias And Confounding

The mayor of your city wants to allocate funds to open several curbside healthy food markets/ farmers markets based on the hypothesis that people who utilize curbside healthy food markets/farmers markets regularly (defined as once a week) for their groceries have healthier weight and are likely to control of their weight as compared to people who do not utilize them regularly.

As an epidemiologist you request and succeeded in getting a small amount of funds to conduct an epidemiological study to test the above hypothesis. How would you design this study? What are some of the potential confounders and or biases that can influence the results of study? How can you minimize them and report the results objectively?

1. • Write in paragraphs. Each paragraph is a unit of thought limited to one major idea. Each paragraph should relate to and support your thesis or central argument. Use specific and concrete examples to support your general statements. Be sure your facts are correct and that they support your argument.
   • Use good grammar. This includes writing in complete sentences, using past tense instead of present tense when appropriate, using active verbs instead of passive ones, varying your vocabulary, and avoiding sexist language (i.e.–don’t use the generic “he” or talk about the history of man when you mean the history of humans or people). If you have taken an English composition class, bring those skills into your essay.
   • Write analytically, not descriptively. Do not just explain what happened, but also try to explain why it happened and why it is significant. Facts are important, but without interpretation they become meaningless.
   • I am not looking for any “correct” answers. Rather, it is more important that you are able to use the material to develop an argument supporting your viewpoint.
   • You will be rewarded for independent and original thought. Don’t be afraid to give your opinions and interpretations of the material (this is your thesis!). Be critical of your readings and the lectures. Look for new ways of approaching the material. When you disagree with an author’s views, say so.
   • Be creative. Make your essay interesting to read. Don’t assume that your instructor will know everything there is to know on your topic. Write as if you are teaching someone something that is new and interesting. This will automatically make your paper a better one.