in doing statistical inference data are gathered by the process of
Statistical inference Statistical inference makes propositions about a population, using data drawn from the population with some form of sampling. Given a hypothesis about a population, for which we wish to draw inferences, statistical inference consists of (first) selecting a statistical model of the process that generates the data and (second) deducing propositions from the model.[citation needed]
Postmarketing surveillance Postmarketing surveillance uses a number of approaches to monitor drug and device safety, including spontaneous reporting databases, prescription event monitoring, electronic health records, patient registries, and record linkage between health databases.[1] These data are reviewed to highlight potential safety concerns in a process known as data mining.