Why is Sampling Variability Important in Epidemiology?
In epidemiology, sampling variability is important because it impacts the reliability and generalizability of study findings. For instance, when estimating the prevalence of a disease or the effect of an exposure on health outcomes, researchers must account for the fact that their sample may not perfectly represent the entire population. Ignoring sampling variability can lead to overconfidence in the results and potentially misguided public health interventions.
