Potential Errors In Epidemiologic Studies

1. Potential Errors In Epidemiologic Studies Introduction I. Dr. Sherine Shawky

2. Learning Objectives • Recognize the possible research errors • Understand the difference between random error, bias and confounding

3. Performance Objectives • Adopt the epidemiologic thinking process • Minimize error

4. Epidemiologic research studies are performed with a global objective to support and improve health

5. Thus, the main interest in Epidemiology is to detect relationships between exposures and health-related events aiming to make correct decisions and guide people on health

6. As, the truth is never known, the mission is complicated • Also, no one is interested in drawing wrong decisions and misleading people • Thus, efforts are crucial to minimize error and assure accuracy of results

7. Planning Results Brain storming Brain storming Possible error Uncontrolled error Prevent Evaluate

8. Relationship True False Non-causal Causal

9. Potential Errors False Relationship Non-Causal Relationship - Random Error - Bias - Confounding

10. Random error Random error is the divergence due to chance alone, of an observation on sample from the true population value, leading to lack of precision in measurement of association

11. Bias Bias is a systematic error in an epidemiologic study that results in an incorrect estimation of the association between exposure and health-related event

12. Confounding Confounding occurs when the effects of two risk factors are mixed in the occurrence of the health-related event under study

13. Conclusion There is always risk of error in any study. The researcher has to be aware of the different types of error, try to prevent their occurrence and evaluate the impact of the uncontrolled errors on the findings