Task: The objective for this assignment is to select a peer-reviewed journal article relating to a noncommunicable disease outcome in order to summarise the putative aetiological mechanism of the...

Task:
The objective for this assignment is to select a peer-reviewed journal article relating to a noncommunicable disease outcome in order to summarise the putative aetiological mechanism of the outcome, assess the evidence-base for the association, and to consider methodological limitations in the interpretation of the association. For the task questions are given to the next page.


Criteria:
You will be assessed on the following:

•    The summary of evidence in the selected article
•    The critical appraisal of the evidence-base in support of the study
•    The critique of the methodological limitations of the study


QUESTIONS For ASSIGNMENT (Read it carefully)
Select a peer-reviewed journal article that illustrates the critical period model, sensitive period model, or accumulation of risk model for an association between an exposure and a non-communicable disease outcome. Complete the following questions based on the article you select.


Question 1:  Provide the reference of the article and indicate the following:

(a) the life-course model illustrated, and the period in the life-course to which the exposure relates,

(b) summarise the hypothesised aetiological mechanism by which the exposure is associated with the outcome, and

(c) summarise the findings of the example article you selected. [30 marks]


Question 2: Summarise the evidence-base that supports (or does not support) the association in the article you selected [30 marks]



Consider the following elements for this question:

-How many studies of the association?
-What type of studies? Based on what samples, or population-bases?
-Are findings across these studies consistent and coherent, particularly from studies of similar or more powerful study designs?

-Are the results plausible in terms of a biological mechanism?


Question 3: Summarise the key methodological limitations in interpreting the association described in Question 1, and assess the extent to which the observed association can be attributed to non-causal mechanisms. [40 marks]


Consider the following elements for this question:

-Is there a temporal relationship between exposure and outcome?
-Is there a strong relationship between the exposure and the outcome?

-Is there a dose-response relationship between exposure and the outcome?
-Is the outcome measure affected by selection and/or measurement bias?
-Is the exposure measure affected by selection and/or measurement bias?
-Are the results likely to be affected by confounding?
-Are the results likely to be affected by chance variation?