Släng inte ut observationsstudier med badvattnet. Bedöm deras kvalitet i stället
Engelsk titel: Don't throw out the observation studies with the bath-water. Assess their quality instead
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Författare:
Rosen M
;
Axelsson S
;
Lindblom J
Email: rosen@sbu.se
Språk: Swe
Antal referenser: 30
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 08111377
Sammanfattning
There is a misconception that the only study design to be trusted, when it comes to intervention studies, is the randomised controlled trial (RCT). Results from observational studies are considered as less reliable. There is, however, evidence that the scientific quality of a separate study have more impact on reliability than a certain study design. Underpowered or otherwise flawed observational studies as well as RCT: s can come to wrong conclusions. Well-made observational studies produce results in accordance with well-made RCT: s. Exceptions are investigations of preventive or alleviating interventions, especially when the studies have not controlled for socio-economic factors. The author concludes that observational studies should be based on their methodological qualities, not the type of study design.