Public Comments - Methodology Standards

« Back to the list of all comments on the 2016 Methodology Standards

8. Standards for Causal Inference Methods

CI-1: CI-Model: Specify the causal model underlying the research question

Researchers should describe the causal model relevant to the research question, which should be informed by the PICOTS framework: populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing, and settings. The causal model represents the key variables; the known or hypothesized relationships among them, including the potential mechanisms of effect; and the conditions under which the hypotheses are to be tested. Researchers should use the causal model to determine whether and how the study can handle bias and confounding and the extent to which valid estimates of the effects of an intervention can be generated based on the particular data source, hypothesis, and study design.

Public comments

Agreed, important step
Robert Lubwama; Merck & Co Inc., Industry, 02/23/2016 - 2:41pm
This is a nice addition. A simple model should help investigators think clearly about causation and potential confounding, and then select an appropriate causal inference strategy.
Steven D. Pizer, Assoc. Prof. of Health Economics, Northeastern University, Health Researcher, 01/27/2016 - 12:36pm
How about asking the researchers to `define the causal estimand?' This is the most fundamental step in causal inference.
Ravi Varadhan, Johns Hopkins University , Health Researcher, 01/26/2016 - 2:52pm