Discussion: Advance Epidemiology Public Health
As a scholar-practitioner in public health, the ability to critique epidemiological articles is essential to your professional success. In order to effectively critique the work of other public health professionals, you should be able to identify potential selection bias that might influence results reported in a research article. Selection bias in epidemiological studies occurs when study participants do not accurately represent the population for whom results will be generalized, and this results in a measure of association that is distorted (i.e., not close to the truth). For example, if persons responding to a survey tend to be different (e.g., younger) than those who do not respond, then the study sample is not representative of the general population, and study results may be misleading if generalized. You should be able to explain how potential biases might influence the reported results and their interpretation. Knowing how to analyze selection biases in reported research or your own studies allows you to assess to which populations results can be generalized, as well as to understand possible distortions in the measures of association. This can guide the application of evidence-based practice as well as your own research agenda.
As you review the article you have been assigned, consider issues surrounding selection bias, and the effects that selection bias may have on study results.
Post a brief explanation of the types of selection bias that might have occurred in your assigned study. Explain how the researchers minimized these types of bias in the study, either through study design or analysis considerations. Finally, describe the effects these biases could have had on the interpretation of study results if not minimize
Article: Selection Bias in the Link Between Child Wantedness and Child Survival: Theory and Data From Matlab, Bangladesh David Bishai & Abdur Razzaque & Susan Christiansen & A. H. M. Golam Mustafa & Michelle Hindin.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.