Which book? A comparative review of 25 introductory epidemiology textbooks

摘要

We are witnessing an epidemic of epidemiology. One outcome is a greater demand for books to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body. A widening range of professionals and researchers are discovering the power and fascination of the subject, and their heterogeneity of specialist knowledge and interest poses special challenge. Revisions of classics and many new texts mean difficult choices for teachers and students. The rise of epidemiology will spur new writings so we can anticipate even more. This review is primarily to help students and teachers to find the first textbook for the keen postgraduate or undergraduate. Practitioners may welcome this as a way of tracking down the book which covers epidemiology in the style they prefer. Aspiring text book writers might see gaps for future work.