Michel Cucherat
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Michel Cucherat
@mcucherat.bsky.social
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Reposted by Michel Cucherat
statsepi.bsky.social
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(from statsepi.substack.com/p/sorry-what... ICYMI)
People often say their goal is to identify “risk factors”. But what does that mean? Some people use the term to indicate potential causes of outcomes. Then just say cause. Others use it to identify predictors of outcomes. Then just say predict. And, sadly, too many others use it as shorthand for factors that are “statistically associated” with outcomes. In this case, say nothing at all, since this “goal” has no clinical utility whatsoever (beyond what it might suggest about causation or prediction). So once you have framed your research question as description, prediction, causation or measurement, there is no longer a need to talk about risk factors. It's basically just a catch-all phrase to cover up muddy thinking.
July 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM