Foundations of Epidemiology: Study Errors and Interaction

This flashcard set includes key terminology and definitions related to study errors and interactions in epidemiology.

Random Error

Unsystematic errors due to chance affecting measurements or sampling.

Systematic Error

Recognizable errors due to bias and/or confounding in study design or conduct.

Bias

Systematic error that leads to a distorted measure of association in a study.

Confounding

When the effect of the exposure is confused with the effect of another variable.

Effect Modification

When the magnitude of the association depends on the level of a third variable.

Publication Bias

The tendency for only positive findings to be published, obscuring true associations.

Selection Bias

Systematic error in the inclusion/exclusion of study participants affecting the measure of association.

Information Bias

Error arising from improper measurement of study variables such as exposures or outcomes.

Differential Participation

A type of selection bias where participation rates vary between exposed and unexposed groups.

Control-Selection Bias

Bias occurring when control subjects are not representative of the source population.

Nondifferential Misclassification

When misclassification occurs at the same rate for both cases and controls.

Differential Misclassification

Misclassification that occurs at different rates for cases and controls.

Causal Inference

Evaluation of evidence that an exposure causes a disease.

Confidence Interval

A range of values that is likely to contain the population parameter with a certain level of confidence.

Attributable Risk

The difference in risk between the exposed and unexposed groups.

Stratum-specific Odds Ratio

Odds ratios calculated for specific levels of a confounding variable.

Natural Phenomenon

A phenomenon that occurs naturally, such as effect modification, which is not due to bias.

Research Question

The question that guides the study, such as the association between exposure and disease.