Provide justification of why Type 2 diabetes is an important public health issue

6HW160 – Epidemiology Assignment – 2025-6

A colleague wants to design a study to test the hypothesis that switching to a vegan diet can reverse Type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. You have been asked to design a suitable study to test this hypothesis.

You will need to include the following Sections in your assignment:

1. Introduction (approx. 1,000 words; 30 marks)

a) Provide justification of why Type 2 diabetes is an important public health issue.

b) Describe the epidemiology of Type 2 diabetes and discuss how this can impact on health, both in the UK and in another named country of your choice.

Note – You will need to search for appropriate epidemiological information for this Section.

2. Design your methodology (approx. 800 Words; 30 marks)

Include the following headings:

a) Type of study – select one type of epidemiological study

b) Population – what type(s) of people you will study

c) Setting – where they will physically be studied

d) Sampling – methods that will be used to select your participants

e) Data – what data will be used and how it will be collected

f) Procedures – describe the details of how your study will be carried out

g) Analysis – what type(s) of statistical analysis will be carried out

h) Outcome(s) – how you will know whether Type 2 diabetes has been reversed

3. Provide justification of your methodology choices (approx. 1,200 words; 30 marks)

Explain the reasons for your choices for each heading in Section 2.

Support your choices using references to appropriate research methods texts.

4. References (10 marks)

A minimum of 30 references are required in this assignment

3,000 words. Weighting: 100% of total marks.

Submission

To be submitted by 13:59 hrs on Thursday 8^th January 2026.

Submission for Easter Resits

If you are unsuccessful in your first attempt or are granted extenuating circumstances, then you will be expected to submit your work by 13:59 hrs on Monday 13^th April 2026.

Third opportunity – submission for Summer Resits

To be submitted by 13:59 hrs on Monday 6^th July 2026.

Please note there are no automatic extensions, or any extensions granted for the resubmission period, including students with SEC requirements.

Learning Outcomes:

To understand the scope of epidemiology
To demonstrate epidemiological methodological and statistical skills
To apply epidemiological concepts to public health issues

Marking Criteria

Section	Marks
Section 1: (approx. 1,000 words) Introduction: The Introduction includes a brief justification of why Type 2 diabetes is an important public health issue. (10 marks) The epidemiology of Type 2 diabetes is described, and there is discussion about how this can impact on health, both in the UK and in another chosen named country. (20 marks)	30
Section 2: (approx. 800 words) Methodology: Discussion uses the headings (a) – (h) in Section 2.	30
Section 3: (approx. 1,200 words) Justification for the methodology: Reasons are explained for choices for each heading (a) – (h) in Section 2. This section MUST be referenced using appropriate research methods texts.	30
Section 4: (no word count) References: Harvard referencing correctly used throughout. All articles and research studies included in this work should be referenced. Use a minimum of 30 references for this assignment. Language and Formatting A clear & simple writing style, with no formatting, typing, spelling or grammatical errors. The work is coherently organised according to the marking criteria.	10

University Performance Descriptors Level 6

Marks	Description
90-100% Outstanding	Exceptional level of analysis, showing deep critical engagement with a comprehensive range of contextual material. Demonstration of independent thought resulting in highly original or creative responses to the assignment. Provision of clear evidence of understanding of current scholarship and research based on an extensive range of relevant sources. Extreme clarity of structure demonstrating complete focus of argument. No obvious errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
80-89% Excellent	Excellent links between relevant ideas, theories and practice. Evidence of clearly independent scholarship and the ability to engage critically and analytically with a wide range of contextually relevant resource material. Demonstration of original insights supported by extremely well-structured overall argument. Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
70-79% Very Good	Very good links between a range of different ideas and theories. Places issues in a wider context. Evidence of clear understanding of a range of relevant theories and application of these appropriately. Independent ideas well-argued and supported. Few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
60-69% Good	Clear links between theory and practice. Good coverage of assignment issues. Full understanding of core issues. Evidenced level of understanding of appropriate theory and concepts. Some small repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
50-59% Competent	Identifies main issues and relevant theory. Coverage of most of assignment issues. Competent application of relevant theory and states obvious links to practice. Some repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
40-49% Pass	Makes few links between theory and practice. Answers question in a very basic way. Describes relevant theory accurately, and some relevant ideas offered. Limited coherence of structure.
30-39% Fail	Some learning outcomes and / or assessment criteria not met. Inadequate content with issues not addressed; insufficient evidence of understanding of relevant theory and concepts and only partial understanding shown. Very limited application of theory. Use of extensive quoted passages is evident. Evidence of sufficient grasp of learning outcomes to suggest that the student will be able to retrieve the module on resubmission.
20-29% Fail	No learning outcomes fully met. No demonstration of adequate knowledge or understanding of key concepts or theories. There is no recognition of the complexity of the subject.
10-19% Fail	Little attempt to engage with assignment brief and has not met learning outcomes. Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
0-9%	No real attempt to address the assignment brief or learning outcomes.

Provide justification of why Type 2 diabetes is an important public health issue. b) Describe the epidemiology of Type 2 diabetes and discuss how this can impact on health, both in the UK and in another named country of your choice.