Research work · 2020
Cohort studies
Laura Goodwin, Nicola Fear
Practical Psychiatric Epidemiology
Abstract
This chapter begins by defining a cohort and describing what is meant by a cohort study. It then discusses the different types of cohort, some of the key considerations for their design and interpretation, and the key advantages and disadvantages of this type of study. It ends by describing some of the analytical techniques and statistical outcomes that can be generated from these studies and provides some practical exercises. By the end of this chapter, the reader should be able to describe the major features of a cohort study and to identify their strengths and weaknesses.