• Murdoch University logo

(VET656.3) Confounding, Causality and Dynamics of Disease

Delve deeper into systematic error and practice techniques to improve the conclusions that you draw from study results.

Woman looking at whiteboard diagram
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    10 hours

Examine factors that can influence the relationship between health exposures and health outcomes.

Learn how to target specific causes to reduce health comes and risk.

Describe each of Hill’s considerations for inferring causation.

Explore the concept of geographic place in health and how they are related to each other, and other public health concepts.

What topics will you cover?

  • How to recognise and describe confounding
  • The difference between association and causation
  • Definitions of component, sufficient, and necessary causes
  • Development of causal diagrams for epidemiological research

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at people who are looking to grow their knowledge and skills in public health, policy development and epidemiology.

Who will you learn with?

I am a veterinary epidemiologist, with a goal to provide food for a growing population whilst living within our planetary boundaries. My work is in the human-animal-planetary health nexus.

Who developed the course?

Murdoch University

Murdoch University is a public university in Perth, Western Australia.

  • Established

    1973
  • Location

    Perth, Western Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 410Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn