TY - JOUR T1 - Advantages of a standard method for research on reproductive effects of occupation. JF - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health JO - J Epidemiol Community Health SP - 209 LP - 212 DO - 10.1136/jech.42.3.209 VL - 42 IS - 3 AU - M Joffe Y1 - 1988/09/01 UR - http://jech.bmj.com/content/42/3/209.abstract N2 - A recent review of the literature identified several common methodological weaknesses in studies of the effects of occupational exposures on male and female reproductive processes. This paper suggests a strategy which addresses these problems, by the use of a standard method. The potential benefits include increased measurement reliability and statistical power, together with a systematic study of expected (background) rates, confounding effects, types of exposure and selection effects. Particular advantages are the avoidance of designating a group as non-exposed with attendant problems of bias, and in the longer term the study of multiple or rare exposures. ER -