3 ms·
So, in the abstract, they say they controlled for "lifestyle" but then the researchers are paraphrased in the article as saying "This is an observational study,
by mikkergp 4y ago
So, in the abstract, they say they controlled for "lifestyle" but then the researchers are paraphrased in the article as saying "This is an observational study, which means the data cannot conclusively prove that coffee itself lowers the risk of dying; there may be other lifestyle factors contributing to that lower mortality risk among people who drink coffee, like a healthy diet or a consistent exercise routine."
On the one hand I get what they're saying about their own study design, on the other hand, it might be good to get more info about lifestyle vs lifestyle.
- sdfhdhjdw3 4y agoThat's because 99% of the time when a study says "we found an effect in Y even after we controlled for X" it just means that they included X in their multi-variate regression and error analysis in their study of Y. "controlled for" sounds like it has something to do with ruling out the effect of something from causality, but it doesn't.