A Dictionary of Epidemiology [Paperback]

John M. Last (Editor), J. H. Abramson (Editor), Gary D. Friedman (Editor), Miquel Porta (Editor), Robert A. Spasoff (Editor), Michel Thuriaux (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195096681 | ISBN-13: 978-0195096682 | Publication Date: May 25, 1995 | Edition: 3

The Dictionary of Epidemiology has established its position as the authoritative source for definitions of terms commonly used in this field. It is widely used all over the world, and has been translated into Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, French, Portuguese, Farsi, Arabic, Greek and Serbo-Croatian. This new edition has been extensively revised and contains almost 300 new entries. These new items provide improved coverage of infectious disease epidemiology and control, research methods, toxicology, genetics, informatics, health promotion and ethics. There are historical perspectives and liberal references to important articles and monographs. The combined work of over 100 epidemiologists from more than 30 nations, this Third Edition will be a valuable tool for students and professionals in epidemiology and public health.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A book that should be on the reference shelves of epidemiologists, both classic and clinical, and in the offices of journals that publish what these epidemiologists write. At its price, this hardbound book with content reflecting hours and hours of intellectual work by experts is a bargain. The International Epidemiological Association brings itself great credit for sponsoring it."--Annals of Internal Medicine

"An impressive compilation of essential terms in the field...With nearly 300 definitions added and an equal number expanded since the previous edition, it will appeal to a large audience, including those who now use the earlier versions. The editor and associate editors of this editionshould be commended for a clear and extensive compilation of terms....The book is an excellent reference for novices in epidemiology."--Canadian Medical Association Journal

"Last's Dictionary of Epidemiology has become indispensable to all practising epidemiologists, all graduate students of epidemiology, and increasingly, members of other disciplines who need to understand the terms that epidemiologists have coined and refined....[A] revision well done, of a book that remains indispensable, and an edition that you should obtain as soon as possible so that you can keep up to date with a rapidly evolving field."--Annnals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

"Last's Dictionary is a nearly indispensable reference for persons involved in epidemiology or public health."--Chronic Diseases in Canada

"This book needs no recommendation as its predecessor has already made its name. We should thank Professor Last and all his contributors for providing us with such a useful tool."--International Journal of Epidemiology (on a previous edition)

"What can be said is that definitions...were usually presented clearly, logically, and comprehensively. The definitions are given in a narrative and almost conversational manner."--The Epidemiology Monitor (on a previous edition)

"The third edition of this book has been substantially revised from the second, including almost 300 new entries and a similar number of revised definitions . . . . This edition represents a welcome update."--Canadian Journal of Public Health

About the Author

John M. Last, Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, University of Ottawa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (May 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195096681
• ISBN-13: 978-0195096682
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great help to resident, February 16, 2002

By 

Zeyad Morcos "Zeyad" (Fall River, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dictionary of Epidemiology (Paperback)

As a resident, I frequently prepared journal clubs, where we have to carefully discuss and scrutinize studies. I gained some introduction from "Appleton and Lange's Review of Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the USMLE". But preparing for journal clubs was quite different. There are many of statistical and epidemiological terminology in each article, some I am familiar with, but others are confusing and new. In this very helpful "dictionary" I was able to find more than 95% of the terms with brief definition and good short explanation that successfully allowed me to soundly evaluate the studies and prepare an impressive brief, neat handouts. The great thing about this dictionary was its well organization and ease to find what you are looking for. My friends frequently borrowed when they have to prepare their journal clubs, and found it really helpful.
It is a dictionary; i.e., arranged alphabetically sequencing the terms, and if a term has more than one name, they mention them all, before the explanation.
I highly recommended to every resident, as it will not only will help during residency, but also surely during real life and practice, especially a with hundreds of "trials, studies" appears in medical journal daily.
I gave it four not five stars, because few explanation were rather short, despite informative, and lack of illustration and pictures, which may require you to use a regular textbook in Epidemiology, this happened maybe almost 1 from every 10 terms.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The" dictionary of epidemiology, June 12, 2000

By 

Edward Panacek "agentornange" (Orangevale, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dictionary of Epidemiology (Paperback)

One of the major problems with studying the field of epidemiology is the inconsistency of terminology that is used. This is because the field is relatively young, is actively evolving and has developed from multiple other disciplines including the social sciences as well as the medical sciences and statistics. As a result, it can be both confusing and frustrating for the student. This dictionary is the "bible" of terminology for the fireld, in part because there is no other. This should be an absolute requirement for the shelf of every student in the field of epidemiology. Even experienced epidemiologists are encouraged to have a copy for reference purposes. The only caution is that a new edition is due out soon. It can only be better than the first edition. Get it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new edition that incorporates the most recent developments in epidemiology, November 24, 2008

By 

Alfredo Morabia - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dictionary of Epidemiology (Paperback)

The Dictionary of Epidemiology, sponsored by the International Epidemiology Association, is a 290-page book containing approximately 2600 definitions of words, acronyms and concepts used in epidemiology. It comprises a short reader guide on how best to use the Dictionary, and a reference section complemented by a bibliography.
Compared to the four previous editions, the fifth edition incorporates the developments of epidemiologic activity over the last ten years: evidence-based medicine, genetic epidemiology, causal models and graphs. The Dictionary can be of interest to a wide audience of people, scientists or not, who either just discovered or are familiar with epidemiology.