In this episode we geek out over research study design. We kick-off the episode with a primer on how research studies work and the factors that strengthen and weaken the validity of a study. We set the stage with a discussion of the "counterfactual" which guides the selection of study design. We talk about how research is hypothesis driven and seeks to address specific, measurable, and answerable questions. We discuss the difference between observational and experimental study designs (and give examples of each) and factors that drive selection of research approach. We spend some time discussing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and characteristics that strengthen our ability to draw causal conclusions. We talk about clinical trials (and their many phases), and set the stage for next week's episode which will cover the current status of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

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