10 Questions
What does conflicting evidence from other sources not necessarily negate?
The possibility of a causal relationship
What criteria, in addition to coherence, need to be considered to establish causation?
Strength, consistency, temporality, and plausibility
Using the example of obesity and diabetes, explain a coherent association between the two.
Obesity increases insulin resistance and impairs glucose metabolism, leading to high blood sugar and impaired insulin secretion.
What is the importance of considering the evolving body of knowledge when assessing causality?
To recognize that spurious correlations and confounding factors can contribute to apparent causal relationships.
What does Coherence, as one of Sir Austin Bradford Hill's Criteria, refer to?
The compatibility or agreement of an observed association between a potential cause and an outcome with existing knowledge and evidence.
How do researchers assess coherence when evaluating associations?
By considering whether there are any major contradictions or inconsistencies between the observed association and existing knowledge.
What are some reasons why a lack of biological gradient does not necessarily imply a lack of causation?
Threshold effects, non-linear effects, or reverse effects of exposure on outcome
Explain why a lack of plausibility does not necessarily imply a lack of causation.
Unknown or novel mechanisms or pathways may exist that explain the association.
How can a lack of coherence with other facts and theories in the field not necessarily imply a lack of causation?
Conflicting or incomplete evidence or theories may need to be reconciled or updated.
Why might a lack of analogy to other known causal relationships not necessarily imply a lack of causation?
There may be unique or unprecedented associations that have no parallels.
Explore how conflicting evidence does not always disprove causality, but might highlight gaps in knowledge. Learn how research can resolve discrepancies and strengthen causal relationships, using the example of cholesterol intake and heart disease.
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