Inconsistencies in place definition: How different operational place definitions affect estimates of adolescent
Joanne E Brady1, Beth C Weitzman
1Principal Research Associate, National Development Research Institute, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA. brady@ndri.org
Abstract:
We find that estimates of the prevalence of teenage smoking and drinking in "urban," "suburban," and "rural" areas vary with different definitions of these types of geographic units. Given the salience of youth risk behavior to the public debate, we urge researchers to purposefully choose their definitions of geographic areas and to be explicit about those choices.
Related Concept Videos
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Confounding in Epidemiological Studies
Longitudinal Research
Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...

