Changes

[[Analytic epidemiological studies|Analytic studies]] are conducted in an attempt to identify whether the disease experience in a population differs between groups of animals within this population (defined by exposure to 'risk factors' of interest), in the hope that some indication of a '''causal association''' can be achieved. Therefore, methods are required in order to quantify any 'evidence' in support of a possible association. Epidemiologists commonly measure this using '''measures of strength of association''' and through the use of '''[[Hypothesis testing|null hypothesis tests]]'''.

[[Analytic epidemiological studies|Analytic studies]] are conducted in an attempt to identify whether the disease experience in a population differs between groups of animals within this population (defined by exposure to 'risk factors' of interest), in the hope that some indication of a '''causal association''' can be achieved. Therefore, methods are required in order to quantify any 'evidence' in support of a possible association. Epidemiologists commonly measure this using '''measures of strength of association''' and through the use of '''[[Hypothesis testing|null hypothesis tests]]'''. It is important to use both of these measures whenever interpreting the results of an analytic study, as they measure different things. Measures of strength of association are an indication of the magnitude of the association, whereas the hypothesis test results give an indication of the probability of seeing the data obtained if there was no association between the exposure and outcome in the source population.