Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the findings from independent studies, such as clinical studies, epidemiological studies and intervention studies (Uman, 2011).
Factors affecting spatial and temporal trends of an infectious disease epidemics
Epidemics of infectious diseases arise due to spread of the disease across individuals. It spreads within a geographical region over a period of time. When they spread at global level, it is referred to as pandemic. An infectious disease originates at a particular point.
Common pipeline for statistical analysis in epidemiological studies
Descriptive analysis of epidemiological data includes hypotheses development. This is based on variability of disease outcome rates with demographic variables. On the other hand, analytical epidemiology determines cause or mode of disease epidemic outbreak.
Statistical tests in descriptive and analytical epidemiology
Descriptive epidemiology refers to analyzing the existing trends of a disease epidemic. The study is conducted with respect to time, place and persons (Aschengrau and Seage, 2013).
Significance of statistical analysis in epidemiological studies
Epidemiological studies can be defined as mathematical representations of epidemiology of disease transmissions and its associated processes (Dubé et al., 2007).