Descriptive Epidemiology.

Steps

Defining the population to be studied

Defining the disease to be studied

Describing the disease by time, place, and person

Measurement of the disease

Comparing with known indices

Formulation of an etiological hypothesis.

Uses:

Provides data of magnitude of disease load in community

Provides clues to disease etiology

Provides background data for health planning

Contributes to research by describing the disease