ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the purpose, nature and process of epidemiological research, and its contribution to ‘comparative mental health research’, which, by design, includes populations of different cultures or ethnicities with the explicit aim of learning from any intergroup heterogeneity that is observed. Some epidemiological study designs are presented along with their application to cross-cultural or international research, with a particular focus on the inferences that can be drawn from such studies. Finally, there is a presentation of some innovative quantitative approaches for the confirmation of construct validity of outcome measures used in culturally diverse populations.
