Modern Epidemiology

Rating:
Summary: The basic premise of the Rothman tome:
Review: "Here's what everyone else thinks about this topic (you name it), but here's why they're wrong and it's really a whole lot more complicated than that." This book verges on the surreal - there's the feeling that a little peyote might help one "break through" and suddenly absorb the 5th dimensional world of complete mastery of all the quasireligious mysteries of epi.
Yeah, I was exposed to it in my very first epi class and as others have said, it's not for beginning students; however, my professors (30 years into their fields) tell me they still turn to it on occasion. Kidding aside, there were some profound truths that (I think) I got. But ask a VERY simple question, like, does external validity refer to the source population or populations outside the source pop, and you will find yourself trudging through tar for hours with gaiters on.
Look at it this way: a priest gets to spend the rest of his life trying to refine his understanding of the Bible... well, guess what you'll be doing, pal. Might as well not get frustrated about it...

Rating:
Summary: The basic premise of the Rothman tome:
Review: "Here's what everyone else thinks about this topic (you name it), but here's why they're wrong and it's really a whole lot more complicated than that." This book verges on the surreal - there's the feeling that a little peyote might help one "break through" and suddenly absorb the 5th dimensional world of complete mastery of all the quasireligious mysteries of epi.
Yeah, I was exposed to it in my very first epi class and as others have said, it's not for beginning students; however, my professors (30 years into their fields) tell me they still turn to it on occasion. Kidding aside, there were some profound truths that (I think) I got. But ask a VERY simple question, like, does external validity refer to the source population or populations outside the source pop, and you will find yourself trudging through tar for hours with gaiters on.
Look at it this way: a priest gets to spend the rest of his life trying to refine his understanding of the Bible... well, guess what you'll be doing, pal. Might as well not get frustrated about it...

Rating:
Summary: The most comprehensive book of epi methods to date.
Review: An excellent guide and resourc

Rating:
Summary: This book is USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Don't invest in this book, even if it is considered required reading for your course(s), you will be much better off... trust me. THis book is supposedly cutting edge in terms of epidemiological methods (whatever that means). But, the authors have written this book in a way that is confusing, misleading, and uninterpretable. The chapters written by Rothman and/or Greenland seem to purposely confuse the reader with unnecessary teminology and excessive use of equations. Moreover, this book could not be more poorly organized. Don't waste your time or money. I relied on "Epidemiology in Medicine" by Hennekens (which is not great, but good enough) and web-based resources to get through my doctoral program in Epidemiology. My classmates hated Rothman too.

Rating:
Summary: This book is USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Don't invest in this book, even if it is considered required reading for your course(s), you will be much better off... trust me. THis book is supposedly cutting edge in terms of epidemiological methods (whatever that means). But, the authors have written this book in a way that is confusing, misleading, and uninterpretable. The chapters written by Rothman and/or Greenland seem to purposely confuse the reader with unnecessary teminology and excessive use of equations. Moreover, this book could not be more poorly organized. Don't waste your time or money. I relied on "Epidemiology in Medicine" by Hennekens (which is not great, but good enough) and web-based resources to get through my doctoral program in Epidemiology. My classmates hated Rothman too.

Rating:
Summary: unnecessary details on statistics subject
Review: I agree with many reviewers here that the book is great, but poorly organized and put too much on statistical methods. I have read through it from cover to cover for my exams. Nevertheless, the first part discussion is very good, but you need to read other books before reading Rothman's book. Acutally, I really hate Greenland's writing, it is too obscure. I would not recommend this book to students.

Rating:
Summary: unnecessary details on statistics subject
Review: I agree with many reviewers here that the book is great, but poorly organized and put too much on statistical methods. I have read through it from cover to cover for my exams. Nevertheless, the first part discussion is very good, but you need to read other books before reading Rothman's book. Acutally, I really hate Greenland's writing, it is too obscure. I would not recommend this book to students.

Rating:
Summary: Buy "Epidumbiology Without Numbers for Dummies" Instead!
Review: Some professional epidemiologists see this text as the most thorough and complete resource manual ever written on this subject. In contrast, I see this book as an encrypted enigma. To say that it is difficult-to-follow would be a gross understatement. The major problem is the middle-third of the book, which covers statistical concepts. The authors fall into the trap of presenting way too much unnecessary detail, even in situations when it is not warranted. Apparently, the authors were on a self-absorbed ego trip when they wrote this component. One is definitely better off getting statistical concepts directly from statistical texts, such as Alan Agresti's, An Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis. Still, the book is not completely useless either. The last several chapters cover specific areas in epidemiology and may be useful to those with a keen interest in a specific area.

Rating:
Summary: Too much unnecessary detail
Review: Some professional epidemiologists see this text as the most thorough and complete resource manual ever written on this subject. In contrast, I see this book as an encrypted enigma. To say that it is difficult-to-follow would be a gross understatement. The major problem is the middle-third of the book, which covers statistical concepts. The authors fall into the trap of presenting way too much unnecessary detail, even in situations when it is not warranted. Apparently, the authors were on a self-absorbed ego trip when they wrote this component. One is definitely better off getting statistical concepts directly from statistical texts, such as Alan Agresti's, An Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis. Still, the book is not completely useless either. The last several chapters cover specific areas in epidemiology and may be useful to those with a keen interest in a specific area.

Rating:
Summary: Great reference, but not a book for first time epi students.
Review: The first edition grew out to be the reference of choice of many epidemiologists. This new edition should secure that status, even though the Encyclopedia of Epidemiologic Methods (Gail and Benichou) should provide some serious competition. In fact this text is so complete that it may even stimulate the whole field.
If practising medical researchers start to apply the knowledge provided, then econometrics and psychometrics teachers will have to find a new source for their jokes.
However, in the process the book lost its attraction as a text for students. It has become more technical and less readable. That shouldn't bother students as there are plenty of good elementary books (like Hennekens) and even intermediate books (like the excellent Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics by Nieto and Szklo). The only reason I can think of why you would like to use this book in class is that you're a teacher who likes to study this ultimate reference yourself. What better way than to teach from it?
So this book isn't for students, unless however, you're a student who already has got a firm background in epidemiology, statistics, econometrics or something similar, than this may just be the book for you.