What are the Key Steps in Conducting a Case-Control Study?
Conducting a case-control study involves several key steps:
Define the Research Question: Clearly outline the hypothesis and objectives of the study. Select Cases and Controls: Carefully choose cases and controls based on predefined criteria. Collect Data: Gather data on exposures, risk factors, and other relevant variables retrospectively. Analyze Data: Use statistical methods to compare the exposure levels between cases and controls and to identify associations. Interpret Results: Draw conclusions based on the data analysis, considering potential biases and confounders.