Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 October 2025
An emulation (or target) trial uses observational data to simulate a trial. Because there is no actual randomization, multivariable methods need to adjust for differences between groups. However, emulation trials improve traditional observational studies by conducting all the same steps as a randomized trial with the exception of randomization. With an emulation trial, before conducting data analysis, specify research question eligibility criteria, determination of treatment groups, start of study and end of follow-up, outcome, and analysis plan. Active comparators can minimize indication bias. By setting eligibility, treatment assignment, and start of follow-up, emulation trials minimize immortal time bias.
Classification and regression trees (CART): a technique for separating subjects into distinct subgroups based on a dichotomous outcome. Its major advantage over multiple logistic regression—it more closely reflects how clinicians make decisions. Certain pieces of information take you down a particular diagnostic path for more information to prove/disprove you are on the right path. Most clinicians do not total up a weighted version of the information and make a decision.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.