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Epidemiological (and other observational) studies typically highlight associations between exposures and outcomes, rather than causation. While some consider this a limitation of observational research, epidemiological models of causation (e.g. Bradford Hill criteria) [7] contend that an entire body of evidence is needed before determining if an association is truly causal. [8]
In medical research, epidemiology, social science, and biology, a cross-sectional study (also known as a cross-sectional analysis, transverse study, prevalence study) is a type of observational study that analyzes data from a population, or a representative subset, at a specific point in time—that is, cross-sectional data. [definition needed]
What differentiates ecological studies from other studies is that the unit analysis being studied is the group, therefore inferences cannot be made about individual study participants. [2] On the other hand, details of outcome and exposure can be generalized to the population being studied.
Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and statistical analysis of data, amend interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review). Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical research , public health studies, and, to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological ...
However, many observational epidemiological study designs are limited in the ability to discern correlation from causation – specifically to distinguish whether a particular trait causes an outcome of interest, is simply related to that outcome (but does not cause it) or is a consequence of the outcome itself.
Case–control studies are a relatively inexpensive and frequently used type of epidemiological study that can be carried out by small teams or individual researchers in single facilities in a way that more structured experimental studies often cannot be. They have pointed the way to a number of important discoveries and advances.
A pooled analysis is a statistical technique for combining the results of multiple epidemiological studies. It is one of three types of literature reviews frequently used in epidemiology, along with meta-analysis and traditional narrative reviews. Pooled analyses may be either retrospective or prospective. [1]
Cohort studies represent one of the fundamental designs of epidemiology which are used in research in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, psychology, social science, and in any field reliant on 'difficult to reach' answers that are based on evidence . In medicine for instance, while clinical trials are used primarily for assessing the ...