Emulation sensitivity and feasibility

Evaluate deviations and identifying assumptions

Assess support, protocol-to-data deviations, measurement error and residual confounding. Restrict the target question when the available data cannot support it. TARGET reporting guidance does not certify that causal assumptions hold.

Flow diagram

Steps

Review protocol deviations

Link each target-to-data mismatch to a plausible bias pathway.

Assess empirical support

Evaluate eligible episodes, outcomes, observation and treatment overlap.

Plan measurement sensitivity

Vary justified code definitions, timing and exposure grace rules.

Plan causal sensitivity

Address unmeasured confounding, informative censoring and optional negative controls.

Document feasible claims

Retain limitations and unsupported estimands alongside primary specifications.