Disease Investigation

Abstract

Study of disease can involve investigation and description of natural events as they occur, retrospective analysis of records of past occurrences, or prospective study of planned events in the field or laboratory. The first two methods involve the study of uncontrolled experiments of nature, in which the observer looks for associations or differences that may explain the occurrence of a disease. This type of study often produces generalizations that can be refined through prospective studies in which variables can be controlled or manipulated. This section deals primarily with the investigation of disease outbreaks but it is important to remember that careful investigation and recording of results from outbreaks forms the basis for the other methods of study. For further discussion of disease investigation see Friend (1987b) and Wobeser (1994).