Define descriptive epidemiology and its importance in describing disease occurrence in populations. Provide examples of the different types of rates.

DISCUSSION 1:

1. Define descriptive epidemiology and its importance in describing disease occurrence in populations. Provide examples of the different types of rates.
2. Compare and contrast descriptive versus analytical epidemiological studies. Describe the basic types of epidemiological studies and how they are used.
3. Give an example of how you might use descriptive and analytical morbidity and mortality rates in the “real world”.

DISCUSSION 2:

A student’s parents promise to pay for next semester’s tuition if an “A” average is earned in Math. With examination grades of 97%, 97% 75%, 70% and 55%, the student reports that an “A” average has been earned. Which measure of central tendency is the student reporting as the average. How is this student misrepresenting the course performance with statistics?

DISCUSSION 3:

Income Statement Analysis

This week’s DQ focuses on the Income Statement. It builds on the insights we gained in Week 2, but goes a little deeper in our use of financial statement analysis skills.

Locate an actual Income Statement from the latest fiscal year for one of the following companies:
Sears
Tesla
Pick an Income Statement Line Item or Ratio from the list below:
Line Item

Ratio

Revenue (aka Sales, Turnover)
Cost of Goods Sold/Cost of Sales
Salary Expense
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Gross Profit
Operating Profit
Net Profit
Gross Margin (%)
Net Margin (%)
Salary Expense as % of Sales
Return on Sales
Return on Equity
Return on Assets
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
EBITDA

What does this line item or ratio measure and why is it important item for Management to understand this number?
Identify the past 4 years of amounts for your line item or ratio (Note: this will require you to track down additional historical Income Statements to get the older data). Share this data with the class using a data table or chart.
Answer the following questions:
What is the trend for this line item or ratio?
Has the line item or ratio amount increased or decreased?
Is this a “good” thing or a “bad” thing? For this company?
What might management do to improve this line item or ratio?