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Measurement bias: a structure perspective
  • +3
  • Yijie Li,
  • Wei Fan,
  • Miao Zhang,
  • Lili Liu,
  • Jiangbo Bao,
  • Yingjie Zheng
Yijie Li
Fudan University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Wei Fan
Fudan University
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Miao Zhang
Fudan University
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Lili Liu
Fudan University
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Jiangbo Bao
Fudan University
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Yingjie Zheng
Fudan University
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Abstract

Objectives: To propose new causal structures to clarify the structures and mechanisms of measurement bias (MB). Methods: We propose a new structure for measuring one singleton variable firstly, and then extend it into clarifying the effect between an exposure and an outcome, aided by the Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs). Results: The MB for one singleton variable arises in the selection of an imperfect I/O device-like measurement system only. For effect estimation, however, extra source of MB arises from any redundant association between a measured exposure and a measured outcome. The misclassification will be bidirectionally differential for a common outcome, unidirectionally differential for a causal relation, and non-differential for a common cause or an independence, between the measured exposure and the measured outcome. The measured exposure can actually affect the measured outcome, or vice versa. Reverse causality is a concept defined at the level of measurement. Conclusions: Measurement extends the causality from real world to human thinking. MB has two origins: an imperfect measurement system and any redundant association at the measurement level. Our new DAGs have clarified the structures and mechanisms of MB.