MATH1041 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Body Mass Index, Observational Study, Confounding
19 Nov 2018
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If there is a problem with the way we collect data, this leads to problems with analysis and interpretation of the data. If your data collection is flawed, then the whole study is flawed. Identify the key research question: the question you want to discover the answer to. Decide on the population to be studied: the set of people/things to which your research question refers. Decide which variables to measure: these should be informed by your research question. Obtain data from the population of interest to answer your research question. There are a few ways to obtain data: Anecdotal data: haphazardly collected data (such as data from your own experience). It is usually not a sound basis for drawing conclusions. Available data: data previously produced (possible for some other purpose). The abs has lots of interesting data that can be used to answer many research questions.
