Several factors can influence variable selection in epidemiology:
Study Design: The type of epidemiological study (e.g., cohort, case-control) dictates the appropriate variables to be included. Biological Plausibility: The selection should be guided by biological or clinical relevance to the outcome. Prior Research: Previous studies and existing literature can offer insights into which variables are important. Statistical Considerations: Metrics like p-values, confidence intervals, and effect sizes help in determining variable importance. Sample Size: Smaller sample sizes necessitate more careful variable selection to avoid overfitting.
