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Causal Inference in Retrospective Studies

Author(s):
Holland, Paul W.; Rubin, Donald B.
Publication Year:
1987
Report Number:
RR-87-07
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
34
Subject/Key Words:
Mathematical Models, Medical Research, Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis

Abstract

The problem of drawing causal inferences from retrospective, case-control, studies is considered. A model for causal inference in prospective studies is reviewed and then applied to retrospective studies. The limitations of case-control studies are formulated in terms of the level of causally relevant parameters that can be estimated in such studies. An example using data from a large retrospective study of coffee-drinking and myocardial infarctions is used to illustrate the ideas of the paper. (34pp.)

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