title: Research methodology.
abstract: Research aims to reach valid conclusions through scientific enquiry. Valid conclusions can only be reached if bias is minimized or eliminated. Bias can potentially take place in the design, implementation, or analysis of a study. Various study designs reduce bias, and this article reviews some of the more common study designs in orthopaedic sports medicine. We also discuss bias and confounding factors as they relate to these studies.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Warren R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lyman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marx
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013178:Sports Medicine; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology