Causal Inference and Scientific Paradigms in Epidemiology
eISBN: 978-1-60805-181-6, 2010
Indexed in: Scopus
This anthology of articles on causal inference and scientific paradigms in epidemiology covers several important topics including the search for causal explanations, the strengths and limitations of ...
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This anthology of articles on causal inference and scientific paradigms in epidemiology covers several important topics including the search for causal explanations, the strengths and limitations of causal criteria, quantitative approaches for assessing causal relationships that are relevant to epidemiology and emerging paradigms in epidemiologic research. In order to provide historical context, an overview of philosophical and historical developments relevant to causal inference in epidemiology and public health is also provided. Several theoretical and applied aspects of causal inference are dealt with. The aim of this Ebook is not only to summarize important developments in causal inference in epidemiology but also to identify possible ways to enhance the search for causal explanations for diseases and injuries. Examples are provided from such fields as chronic disease epidemiology, Veterans health, and environmental epidemiology. A particular goal of the Ebook is to provide ideas for strengthening causal inference in epidemiology in the context of refined research paradigms. These topics are important because the results of epidemiologic studies contribute to generalizable knowledge by clarifying the causes of diseases, by combining epidemiologic data with information from other disciplines (for example, psychology and industrial hygiene), by evaluating the consistency of epidemiologic data with etiological hypotheses about causation, and by providing the basis for evaluating procedures for health promotion and prevention and public health practices.
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Scientific Paradigms in Epidemiology and Professional Values
Pp. 35-41 (7)
Steven S.Coughlin
A notable feature of the debate about scientific paradigms and theories in epidemiology has been the juxtaposition of scientific, social, and ethical arguments. In some articles on epidemiologic theory and scientific paradigms, ethical issues and professional values have been discussed in order to bolster or clarify the authors' scientific arguments or to point to future directions. However, the introduction of statements laden with social concerns, ethics, and values into a scientific discussion of epidemiologic theory tends to obscure the scientific issues at the heart of the debate. Analyses of professional values and ethics in epidemiology are vitally important, but they should be thorough and well balanced and clearly distinguished as considerations of ethical and social concerns. Judgments about the relative scientific merits of alternative scientific paradigms (or proposed refinements in existing paradigms) should be based upon scientific considerations.
Department of Veterans Affairs USA