Ignoring a Covariate: An Example of Simpson's Paradox

The possibility that the apparent direction of an association will be reversed when covariates are taken into account is well known, but many examples of this effect are rather contrived. A real example from an epidemiological survey is presented.

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American statistician 1996-11, Vol.50 (4), p.340-341
Main Authors: Appleton, David R., French, Joyce M., Vanderpump, Mark P. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age groups
Cigarette smoking
Covariate
Decision theory
Endocrinology
Exact sciences and technology
Mathematics
Medical statistics
Multivariate analysis
Paradoxes
Probability and statistics
Sampling theory, sample surveys
Sciences and techniques of general use
Simpson's paradox
Smoking
Statistical analysis
Statistics
Teacher's Corner
Thyroid diseases
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Description
Summary:The possibility that the apparent direction of an association will be reversed when covariates are taken into account is well known, but many examples of this effect are rather contrived. A real example from an epidemiological survey is presented.
ISSN:0003-1305
1537-2731
DOI:10.1080/00031305.1996.10473563