What is the Impact of Sampling Variability on Epidemiological Studies?
Sampling variability can affect the conclusions drawn from epidemiological studies in several ways:
1. Estimate Precision: High sampling variability can lead to wide confidence intervals, indicating less precise estimates. 2. Statistical Significance: Increased sampling variability can make it harder to detect true associations between exposures and outcomes, potentially leading to false-negative results. 3. Generalizability: Studies with high sampling variability may have limited applicability to other populations, reducing the usefulness of the findings for public health policy.
