COHORT METHOD: STATISTICAL AND DESIGN FOUNDATIONS – AN ANALYTICAL OVERVIEW
Keywords:
Keywords: cohort method, epidemiological research, prospective design, retrospective design, relative risk, attributable risk, statistical analysis.Abstract
Summary: The cohort method represents one of the most significant analytical
approaches in epidemiological research, providing a high degree of reliability in
establishing cause-and-effect relationships. This article analyzes the fundamental
design principles of the cohort method, key statistical indicators, and their mechanisms
of application within the research process. Differences between prospective and
retrospective cohort studies, as well as their respective advantages and limitations, are
discussed. Furthermore, methods for calculating statistical indicators such as relative
risk (RR) and attributable risk (AR), along with their epidemiological interpretation,
are described. The paper also highlights the practical applications of the cohort method,
particularly its importance in studying chronic and infectious diseases. The analysis
demonstrates that the cohort method serves as a crucial scientific basis for an in-depth
examination of factors influencing disease development, assessing risk levels, and
developing preventive strategies.
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