Many analyses of epidemiologic data are conducted using statistical methods common to other research fields, including the social and biologic sciences. In epidemiologic studies, however, the focus of the research question, and thus the methods used to study this question, tend to differ. The combination of human, social, environmental, and biological factors that may be present in epidemiologic studies can lead to a complexity not seen in large randomized trials or when the environment can be controlled. This entry discusses regression methods used in epidemiology and the conceptual framework that underlies these methods.

Predictive Analysis versus Associative Analysis

Epidemiologic research questions tend to fall into two general categories: (1) What factors best explain or predict the occurrence of another factor (or outcome)? (2) What is the ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles