A METHODOLOGICAL NOTE ON THE SELECTION OF FRIENDS AS CONTROLS

Authors
KAPLAN S NOVIKOV I MODAN B
Citation
S. Kaplan et al., A METHODOLOGICAL NOTE ON THE SELECTION OF FRIENDS AS CONTROLS, International journal of epidemiology, 27(4), 1998, pp. 727-729
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath
Journal title
International journal of epidemiology → ACNP
ISSN journal
03005771
Volume
27
Issue
4
Year of publication
1998
Pages
727 - 729
Database
ISI
SICI code
0300-5771(1998)27:4<727:AMNOTS>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
A number of issues inherent in the selection of friends as controls in case-control studies are illustrated in the light of a recent dietary study, based on hospital and friend controls. Preselection of certain characteristics of the controls by the interviewee is almost unavoida ble. The choice of controls to be used in a case-control study must re flect the nature and type of hypothesis which is being tested. Advanta ges and drawbacks of potential control groups must be weighted against each other.