Course description:
The course will provide an introduction to the methodological issues involved in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of studies investigating the relationship between nutritional status, diet and disease. Emphasis will be placed on issues such as intra-individual variation, measurement of error, misclassification, correlated variables, population homogeneity, and the use of group versus individual data. The selection and use of dietary and nutritional status assessment methods appropriate for different study designs will be covered, and some experience in their use and interpretation will be provided. The impact of methodological issues, and of the type of study design, on interpretation and conclusions from research in nutrition epidemiology will be emphasized.