Methods to madness: The utility of complex systems science in a mad, mad world

• Published in: Community dentistry and oral epidemiology Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 79 - 84
• Main Authors: Heaton, Brenda, Baker, Sarah R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2023
• Subjects: complexity; Epidemiology; Mathematical models; Oral hygiene; population oral health; social and behavioral science; Social organization; Statistical analysis; Systems science; population oral health; complexity; epidemiology; social and behavioral science; systems science

Existing methods in social [oral] epidemiology primarily utilize statistical models that assume static characteristics of individuals and environments. While useful, an over reliance on these methods in the social and behavioural sciences can unnecessarily limit perspective and progress as even the...