A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research
Abstract Background Selection and selection bias are terms that lack consistent definitions and have varying meaning and usage across disciplines. There is also confusion in current definitions between underlying mechanisms that lead to selection and their consequences. Consequences of selection on...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Research Methodology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12874-020-01015-w |
| _version_ | 1818204304223240192 |
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| author | Jonas Björk Anton Nilsson Carl Bonander Ulf Strömberg |
| author_facet | Jonas Björk Anton Nilsson Carl Bonander Ulf Strömberg |
| author_sort | Jonas Björk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Selection and selection bias are terms that lack consistent definitions and have varying meaning and usage across disciplines. There is also confusion in current definitions between underlying mechanisms that lead to selection and their consequences. Consequences of selection on study validity must be judged on a case-by-case basis depending on research question, study design and analytical decisions. The overall aim of the study was to develop a simple but general framework for classifying various types of selection processes of relevance for epidemiological research. Methods Several original articles from the epidemiological literature and from related areas of observational research were reviewed in search of examples of selection processes, used terminology and description of the underlying mechanisms. Results We classified the identified selection processes in three dimensions: i) selection level (selection at the population level vs. study-specific selection), ii) type of mechanism (selection in exposure vs. selection in population composition), iii) timing of the selection (at exposure entry, during exposure/follow-up or post-outcome). Conclusions Increased understanding of when, how, and why selection occur is an important step towards improved validity of epidemiological research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T03:39:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2119d7a3aff44148a1387d9f7ce46e81 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2288 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T03:39:06Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Research Methodology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2119d7a3aff44148a1387d9f7ce46e812022-12-22T00:39:43ZengBMCBMC Medical Research Methodology1471-22882020-06-0120111010.1186/s12874-020-01015-wA novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological researchJonas Björk0Anton Nilsson1Carl Bonander2Ulf Strömberg3Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund UniversityDivision of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund UniversitySchool of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgSchool of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgAbstract Background Selection and selection bias are terms that lack consistent definitions and have varying meaning and usage across disciplines. There is also confusion in current definitions between underlying mechanisms that lead to selection and their consequences. Consequences of selection on study validity must be judged on a case-by-case basis depending on research question, study design and analytical decisions. The overall aim of the study was to develop a simple but general framework for classifying various types of selection processes of relevance for epidemiological research. Methods Several original articles from the epidemiological literature and from related areas of observational research were reviewed in search of examples of selection processes, used terminology and description of the underlying mechanisms. Results We classified the identified selection processes in three dimensions: i) selection level (selection at the population level vs. study-specific selection), ii) type of mechanism (selection in exposure vs. selection in population composition), iii) timing of the selection (at exposure entry, during exposure/follow-up or post-outcome). Conclusions Increased understanding of when, how, and why selection occur is an important step towards improved validity of epidemiological research.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12874-020-01015-wBiasSelection biasEpidemiologic factorsPopulation characteristicsPublic health |
| spellingShingle | Jonas Björk Anton Nilsson Carl Bonander Ulf Strömberg A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research BMC Medical Research Methodology Bias Selection bias Epidemiologic factors Population characteristics Public health |
| title | A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| title_full | A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| title_fullStr | A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| title_short | A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| title_sort | novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research |
| topic | Bias Selection bias Epidemiologic factors Population characteristics Public health |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12874-020-01015-w |
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