HLTH101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Studbook Selection, Systematic Review, Observational Error
1 Aug 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Ecological studies = studies that measure variables at the population level rather than individual level: ex. following populations as they migrate to compare cancer rates. Advantages: can provide powerful clues when comparing large population, can use data that is already available, like government statistics. Disadvantages: can"t prove cause and effect two factors must be studied in individuals. Experimental (interventional) studies = investigations that test the effects of treatments: ex. of medical/surgical procedure, new drug, lifestyle change intervention, dietary change. Researcher has control timing, doses, intensity. Ask yourself: is the investigator controlling the primary exposure? . Study in which diet is prescribed/provided + you are required to keep a food diary = experimental. Study in which you choose what you eat and your weight is monitored as an outcome = observational. Randomized control trials = the gold standard for evaluation. A group of participants as similar as possible in terms of characteristics is assembled (with free and informed consent)
