Association and causation

Question 1

What can interpreting association be due to?

Answer 1

bias
chance
confounding 
reverse causality
true association

Question 2

what is selection bias?

Answer 2

non random data for analysis

this can happen when certain people are more likely to take part in screening so may differ from general population

Question 3

What is information bias?

Answer 3

mismeasurement error

Question 4

What is confirmation bias?

Answer 4

tendency to look for confirming evidence to support diagnosis rather than look for disconfirming evidence

Question 5

What is length time bias?

Answer 5

when if diseases are short-lived, people may be missed out due to timing of screening

Question 6

What is lead time bias?

Answer 6

time between early diagnosis with screening and the time in which diagnosis would have been made w/o screening
important as early diagnosis may not prolong the life of someone but just determine propensity

Question 7

What is the criteria for causation called?

Answer 7

Bradford-hill criteria

Question 8

Explain the criteria for association

Answer 8

1. strength - more like to be caused if stronger association
2. consistency - consistent findings observed in diff studies
3. specificity - causation likely if v specific population at specific site and disease w no other likely explanatio n
4. temporality - effect has to occur after the cause
5. biological gradient - greater exposure = greater incidence, vice versa, or mere presence links to exposure
6. plausibility
7. coherence
8. Experiment
9. analogy