An introduction to observational studies
- Author:
Mara Padilla Evangelista-Huber
- Publication Type:Other Types
- MeSH:
Research Personnel
- From:
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society
2018;27(2):63-65
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A clinical trial is a planned experiment designed to evaluate the benefits of a treatment for a specific medical condition. A well-
designed clinical trial is the most rigorous research design for evaluating treatments. However, there several situations where it is
neither possible nor ethical to conduct a clinical trial. In these situations, observational studies may be more appropriate in evaluating
possible associations between a factor of interest (not necessarily treatment) and a particular disease or outcome. In observational
study designs, the investigator has no control over the exposure of individuals. Study participants are observed and data are collected
but nothing is done to influence either the exposure or the course of events. We will consider three main observational study designs
in this article.
- Full text:jpds 5.pdf
