Despite its utility, partial correlation has some limitations:
- Assumption of Linearity: Partial correlation assumes a linear relationship between variables, which may not always be the case in epidemiological data. - Control for Limited Variables: It can only control for a limited number of variables effectively. When dealing with many confounders, other techniques like multivariable regression might be more appropriate. - Sensitivity to Outliers: Like other correlation measures, partial correlation is sensitive to outliers, which can distort the results.
