Confounding Variables Critique
Comments in this cluster repeatedly question the validity of studies or data analyses by pointing out unaccounted-for confounding factors, variables, and lifestyle differences that could explain observed correlations.
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yeah. there could be confounding factors.
There are probably a ton of confounding variables at play here that aren't being accounted for.
Definitely some potential confounding variables there...
What data would be useful here? There are so many confounding factors.
If lifestyle differences are not accounted for, I'd put little stock in this.
Any such studies would be swimming in other correlating factors like genetics, quality of life, education, etc.
I can think of a few confounding factors for that...
I'm curious if this could be related to lack of exercise or lack of sunlight or perhaps poor diet. All would probably go along with living in a high pollution area?Edit. They mention they control for a lot of those factors. I wonder how well they can do that?
It seems like that data would be very noisy data. Criteria for age would be one obvious thing, but it would also include social status, social support networks, hours on the road, frequency of visiting the doctor, distance to doctor and home, stress and access to leisure time, cultural factors, economical factors and many more.The conclusions would also be conditions on such factors and how the interact with each other.
Totally agree. There are too many other confounding factors to make any strong conclusions from this.