METHOD FOR ESTIMATING BIAS INTRODUCED INTO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS BY THOSE WHO REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 38-42
Abstract
Several methods were suggested for estimating the error introduced into epidemiological investigations by potential participants who decline participation. As these could not be applied to the present epidemiological case-control breast cancer study, a new and simple method was developed based on information gathered from those controls who participated only reluctantly. A formula is given for calculating an adjusted mean for the sample and corresponding P-value. Data from this study were used to illustrate the method. The calculations indicated that those who declined participation were slightly selected in some aspects, but not to such a degree as to obscure or cause any significant differences between patient and control groups.

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