Tools for assessing quality and susceptibility to bias in observational studies in epidemiology: a systematic review and annotated bibliography
International Journal of EpidemiologyPublished 30 April 2007Open access
Saskia C. Sanderson, ID Tatt, Julian P. T. Higgins
Citations1,521
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score2.69
SNIP2.48
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TL;DR
A number of useful assessment tools have been identified and a need to agree on critical elements for assessing susceptibility to bias in observational epidemiology and to develop appropriate evaluation tools.
Abstract
A number of useful assessment tools have been identified by this report. Tools should be rigorously developed, evidence-based, valid, reliable and easy to use. There is a need to agree on critical elements for assessing susceptibility to bias in observational epidemiology and to develop appropriate evaluation tools.
Keywords
Decision SciencesHealth ProfessionsEconomics, Econometrics and Finance
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