In a well-conducted, slightly idealized, randomized experiment, the only explanation of an association between treatment and outcome is an effect caused by the treatment. However, this is not true in observational studies of treatment effects, in which treatment and outcomes may be associated...

When comparing outcomes, such as survival, in two groups- say a focal group and a comparison group-a common question is whether an adjustment for certain baseline differences that separate these two groups actually matters for the difference in outcomes. Did the adjustment matter? If it did...

In a nonrandomized or observational study, a weak association between receipt of the treatment and an outcome may be explained not as effects caused by the treatment but rather by a small bias in the assignment of individuals to treatment or control; however, a strong association may be...