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RESEARCH METHODS
1A - EPIDEMIOLOGY
1B - STATISTICAL METHODS
1C - HEALTH CARE EVALUATION AND HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
1D - QUALITATIVE METHODS
DISEASE CAUSATION AND DIAGNOSTIC
2A - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS
2B - EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DISEASES OF PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE
2C - DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING
2D - GENETICS
2E - HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
2F - ENVIRONMENT
2G - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
2H - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH PROMOTION
2I - DISEASE PREVENTION, MODELS OF BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
HEALTH INFORMATION
3A - …show more content…
The use of prevalent cases may give rise to recall bias as prevalent cases may be less likely to accurately report past exposures(s). As a result, the interpretation of results based on prevalent cases may prove more problematic, as it may be more difficult to ensure that reported events relate to a time before the development of disease rather than to the consequence of the disease process itself. For example, individuals may modify their exposure following the onset of disease. In addition, unless the effect of exposure on duration of illness is known, it will not be possible to determine the extent to which a particular characteristic is related to the prognosis of the disease once it develops rather than to its …show more content…
Strengths and weaknesses of case-control studies
Strengths
Cost effective relative to other analytical studies such as cohort studies.
Case-control studies are retrospective, and cases are identified at the beginning of the study; therefore there is no long follow up period (as compared to cohort studies).
Efficient for the study of diseases with long latency periods.
Efficient for the study of rare diseases.
Good for examining multiple exposures.
Weaknesses
Particularly prone to bias; especially selection, recall and observer bias.
Case-control studies are limited to examining one outcome.
Unable to estimate incidence rates of disease (unless study is population based).
Poor choice for the study of rare exposures.
The temporal sequence between exposure and disease may be difficult to determine.
References 1. Hennekens CH, Buring JE. Epidemiology in Medicine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1987.
‹ Introduction to study designs - cross-sectional studiesupIntroduction to study designs - cohort studies ›
PHAST logo
Disclaimer | Copyright © Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST) 2011 | Contact Us
Company Information - Public Health Action Support Team CIC
[registered in England and Wales under Company No.
My Account
Health Knowledge Health Knowledge
Search form Search
HOME
ABOUT US
THE TEAM
THE AUTHORS
CONTACT US
EXTERNAL LINKS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WEBSITE DISCLAIMER
PUBLIC HEALTH TEXTBOOK
RESEARCH METHODS
1A - EPIDEMIOLOGY
1B - STATISTICAL METHODS
1C - HEALTH CARE EVALUATION AND HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
1D - QUALITATIVE METHODS
DISEASE CAUSATION AND DIAGNOSTIC
2A - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS
2B - EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DISEASES OF PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE
2C - DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING
2D - GENETICS
2E - HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
2F - ENVIRONMENT
2G - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
2H - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH PROMOTION
2I - DISEASE PREVENTION, MODELS OF BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
HEALTH INFORMATION
3A - …show more content…
The use of prevalent cases may give rise to recall bias as prevalent cases may be less likely to accurately report past exposures(s). As a result, the interpretation of results based on prevalent cases may prove more problematic, as it may be more difficult to ensure that reported events relate to a time before the development of disease rather than to the consequence of the disease process itself. For example, individuals may modify their exposure following the onset of disease. In addition, unless the effect of exposure on duration of illness is known, it will not be possible to determine the extent to which a particular characteristic is related to the prognosis of the disease once it develops rather than to its …show more content…
Strengths and weaknesses of case-control studies
Strengths
Cost effective relative to other analytical studies such as cohort studies.
Case-control studies are retrospective, and cases are identified at the beginning of the study; therefore there is no long follow up period (as compared to cohort studies).
Efficient for the study of diseases with long latency periods.
Efficient for the study of rare diseases.
Good for examining multiple exposures.
Weaknesses
Particularly prone to bias; especially selection, recall and observer bias.
Case-control studies are limited to examining one outcome.
Unable to estimate incidence rates of disease (unless study is population based).
Poor choice for the study of rare exposures.
The temporal sequence between exposure and disease may be difficult to determine.
References 1. Hennekens CH, Buring JE. Epidemiology in Medicine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1987.
‹ Introduction to study designs - cross-sectional studiesupIntroduction to study designs - cohort studies ›
PHAST logo
Disclaimer | Copyright © Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST) 2011 | Contact Us
Company Information - Public Health Action Support Team CIC
[registered in England and Wales under Company No.