Observational studies: How to go about them?

1 Coincidences and How to Think about Them Elliott Sober

The naïve see causal connections everywhere. Consider the fact that Evelyn Marie Adams won the New Jersey lottery twice. The naïve find it irresistible to think that this cannot be a coincidence. Maybe the lottery was rigged or some uncanny higher power placed its hand upon her brow. Sophisticates respond with an indulgent smile and ask the naïve to view Adams’ double win within a larger perspe...

Coincidences and How to Think about Them Elliott Sober

The naïve see causal connections everywhere. Consider the fact that Evelyn Marie Adams won the New Jersey lottery twice. The naïve find it irresistible to think that this cannot be a coincidence. Maybe the lottery was rigged or perhaps some uncanny higher power placed its hand upon her brow. Sophisticates respond with an indulgent smile and ask the naïve to view Adams’ double win within a large...

Six Myths About Informal Networks — and How To Overcome Them

Correct sampling in observational studies.

This article has no abstract.

Observational Studies: Getting Clear about Transparency

The PLOS Medicine Editors endorse four measures to ensure transparency in the analysis and reporting of observational studies. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.