[Roaming through methodology. XIII. Matching as a rule is not useful].
In applied medical research matching is a technique used to control confounding in the design stage of a study. With matching, particular subjects are selected in such a way that the potential prognostic confounders are distributed equally among the comparison groups. A major disadvantage of matching is that it can be inefficient. With the so-called stratified data analysis control of confounding is achieved equally well. Therefore, from the validity and efficiency points of view matching is no longer desirable.
Verbeek
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Katholieke Universiteit, faculteit der Medische Wetenschappen, afd. Epidemiologie, Nijmegen.
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
Dwalingen in de methodologie. XIII. Matching doorgaans niet zinvol.