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Target trial emulation: applying principles of randomised trials to observational studies

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The randomised trial is the preferred study design for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of interventions. Yet such trials can be prohibitively expensive, unethical, or take too long. When it is not possible to carry out a randomised trial, observational data can be used to answer similar questions. Here, we describe the process of using observational data to emulate a target trial, which applies the study design principles of randomised trials to observational studies that aim to estimate the causal effect of an intervention. The target trial provides a formal framework to help avoid self-inflicted biases common to observational studies.

Source: BMJ

DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-071108

Authors: Anthony A Matthews, Goodarz Danaei, Nazrul Islam, Tobias Kurth

Institutions: Karolinska Institutet, Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Southampton, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Causal Inference Techniques

Subfield: Statistics and Probability

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4293577222