STAB22H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Framingham Heart Study, Observational Study, Insomnia
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STAB22H3 Full Course Notes
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Observational study: observes individuals and measures variables of interest but does not attempt to influence the response. Observational studies are valuable for discovering trends and possible relationships. It is not possible for observational studies to demonstrate a causal relationship. When our goal is to understand the cause and effect, experiments are the only source of fully convincing data. Example: this is an example of an observational study. It assesses association but not cause and effect (like correlation) They may help identify variable that have an effect but do not prove cause and effect. Two types of observational studies: retrospective study (looking back): data collected after the events happened. Ex. insomnia example above, measures exercise and insomnia from historical records. Easier to obtain enough data for rare event. Usually more less confounding and bias: prospective study (looking forward): identify subjects in advance, collect data as events happen.
