What are the Limitations of Observational Studies?
While observational studies offer many advantages, they also come with certain limitations:
- Bias: Selection bias, recall bias, and confounding factors can affect the validity of study results. For example, women who choose to use hormone replacement therapy may differ in significant ways from those who do not, influencing study outcomes. - Causality: Unlike RCTs, observational studies cannot definitively establish cause-and-effect relationships. They can only suggest associations. - Data Quality: The accuracy of observational study findings depends heavily on the quality of the data collected. Incomplete or inaccurate data can lead to erroneous conclusions.
