title: [Choosing study design in urologic research].
abstract: The design of an epidemiological study includes the procedures, methods and techniques by which the researcher tries to obtain valid (avoiding systematic errors or bias) and precise (avoiding random errors) answers to the research question posed. This principal question aimed to be answered is the specific objective of the study, which guides the election of an adequate type of design. The objective of this article is to describe the classification criteria (finality, temporal sequence, directionality, and control of the assignation of different study factors) of the different types of epidemiological studies (experimental, almost-experimental, and observational) and the main advantages, disadvantages, utilities and objectives of each investigation design.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Planta 4o Norte, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, C/Martín Lagos s/n, 28040 Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barreales Tolosa
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mato Chaín
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mariano Lázaro
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández Pérez
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Caravaca
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fereres Castiel
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014572:Urology / Q000379:methods*
vernacular_title: Elección del diseño de estudio en investigación urológica.