Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which aspect of a study can be affected by biased assessment of past exposure in a retrospective study?

1. Validity of results

2. Data collection methods

3. Random sampling

4. Statistical analysis

The correct answer is: Validity of results

In a retrospective study, researchers look back at existing data to assess exposure and outcomes. If there is a biased assessment of past exposure, it can lead to inaccuracies in the information being analyzed. This introduces systematic errors that can distort the findings of the study. The validity of the results is fundamentally compromised because validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure. If past exposures are inaccurately reported or recalled due to bias, the results will not reliably represent the true relationship between exposure and outcomes, leading to potentially misleading conclusions. This undermines the ability to draw clear, causal inferences from the data collected. While methods of data collection, random sampling techniques, and statistical analysis are all important components of research design, they are not directly affected by biased assessments of past exposure. Instead, they serve as frameworks within which the analysis occurs. However, if the foundational data they rely on are biased, all subsequent interpretations and applications of statistical analysis may also be called into question, ultimately affecting the overall validity of the study’s conclusions.