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Statistical Generalizations in Epidemiology: Philosophical Analysis

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Handbook of the Philosophy of Medicine

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Abstract

Epidemiology studies the variations in health in populations, according to a number of parameters. In this field, probability and statistics are used in order to provide a quantitative description and analysis of the variations in exposure and disease, as well as of the effects of possible preventatives. Thus, one goal of epidemiology is to establish statistical generalizations about health and disease in populations. Consequently, it is important to understand how statistical generalizations are established and what use one can make of them to establish medical knowledge or to design public health policies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, University of Amsterdam, Oude Turfmarkt 141-147, 1012GC, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Federica Russo

Authors
  1. Federica Russo
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Correspondence to Federica Russo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophisches Seminar, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Thomas Schramme

  2. Philosophy, History and Law, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

    Steven Edwards

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© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Russo, F. (2016). Statistical Generalizations in Epidemiology: Philosophical Analysis. In: Schramme, T., Edwards, S. (eds) Handbook of the Philosophy of Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_39-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_39-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-8706-2

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Statistical Generalizations in Epidemiology: Philosophical Analysis
    Published:
    12 January 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_39-2

  2. Original

    Statistical Generalizations in Epidemiology: Philosophical Analysis
    Published:
    05 November 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_39-1

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