title: [Study designs].
abstract: Methods design follows object design. The study question defines which study design is most appropriate. The ideal study design provides the most valid results. Sometimes, practicality reasons or costs (efficiency) impede using the ideal design. Researchers need to weigh the consequences of suboptimal design elements against the risk of bias.
authors.affiliation: Horten Zentrum für praxisorientierte Forschung und Wissenstransfer, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eichler
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bachmann
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013557:Switzerland