
SOURCES OF ERROR IN CHART REVIEWS AND THEIR SOLUTIONSįrom Kaji et al (2014) and Gilbert et al (1996): retrospective cohort studies need large sample sizes if outcomes are rare.temporal relationships are often difficult to assess.cannot determine causation, only association.subject to confounding (other risk factors may be present that were not measured).prone to recall bias or misclassification bias.controls are often recruited by convenience sampling, and are thus not representative of the general population and prone to selection bias.inferior level of evidence compared with prospective studies.may be used as the initial study generating hypotheses to be studied further by larger, more expensive prospective studies.can address rare diseases and identify potential risk factors (e.g.quicker, cheaper and easier than prospective cohort studies.Used if sample size is low and other options failed.
#Retrospective analysis software
More than one confounder is controlled simultaneously, if a larger number of confounders needs to be adjusted for computer software and statistical advice is necessary.


