TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Statistics A1 - Hoefling, Jason A2 - Freeman, Brian S. A2 - Berger, Jeffrey S. PY - 2014 T2 - Anesthesiology Core Review: Part One Basic Exam AB - Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease. It is based on the assumptions that disease does not occur randomly and that both causal and preventative factors can be identified. The evaluation of both human disease and pharmacological therapy goes through a specific sequence of events. Initially, there is suspicion of influence (eg, environmental, genetic, behavioral, or therapeutic) on an individual or disease. Next, a hypothesis is formed, followed by the systemic collection of data that includes an appropriate comparison group. Statistical analysis of the data will determine whether outcomes associated with the risk factor or intervention are different than outcomes in their absence. Finally, the validity of the statistical analysis is assessed by accounting for chance, biased data interpretation, and the presence of any confounding variables. Only then can judgment be made as to the importance of the risk factor or intervention under review. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/10/09 UR - accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1102566684 ER -