Association and Causation Flashcards
1
Q
What is association?
A
When a variable is found to be more common in the presence of another variable.
2
Q
Name the 3 types of variables.
A
- Spurious
- Indirect
- Direct
3
Q
What is a spurious association?
A
An association that has arisen by chance and is not real.
4
Q
What is an indirect association?
A
An association that is due to the presence of another factor.
(a confounding variable/third variable)
5
Q
What is a direct asssociation?
A
A true association not linked by a third (confounding) variable.
6
Q
Once the association is established, what do you then want to find out?
A
If the association is causal.
7
Q
What criteria are used to establish causation?
A
The Bradford Hill Causal Criteria
8
Q
Describe the 5 points of the Bradford Hill Causal Criteria.
A
- Strength - The stronger the association the more likely it is to be truly causal.
- Temporality - Does the exposure precede the outcome?
- Specificity - Is the suspected cause associated with a specific outcome/ disease?
- Coherence - Does the association fit with other biological knowledge?
- Consistency - Is the same association found in many studies?
