Cause or association?
Scenario A descriptive study in a large population of teenagers and young adults (n=25 000) has shown a statistically significant association between the use of a new bronchodilator drug and the risk of dying from asthma. On the basis of this finding there is a public outcry demanding the withdrawal of the drug from the market.
| | Would you regard this as justified? | If no, what explanation would you give? | | | | | | | | | If yes, on what grounds? | | | | | | | | | What further information would you need in order to evaluate whether or not this new drug causes fatal asthma? | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Practical exercise
Choosing Research Questions for Protocol Development
An essential aspect of the learning experience in this course is for small groups to work together throughout the week on the development of a written research protocol. Based on past experience, the identification and precise formulation of the study questions to be addressed by the protocol groups is the first major potential stumbling block in the course. The following exercise may be helpful to assist course instructors and participants in coming to decisions about study questions in a timely fashion, so that sufficient time is left for groups to work on the details of the protocols.
The exercise can be done individually, or as a group ‘brainstorming’ session. The first step is best completed on the first day of the course, and steps 2 and 3 on the second day (after the participants have had a chance to discuss topics informally among themselves and with faculty).
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