Final answer:
Measures of association (RR, OR, and IRR) can be useful for investigating the relationships between variables in studies, but they are not as helpful for establishing causation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Measures of association (RR, OR, and IRR) can be useful for investigating the relationships between variables in studies. These measures can quantify the strength and direction of the association between variables and help researchers determine the risk of experiencing a health-related event. For example, the odds ratio (OR) can be used to assess the likelihood of an event occurring in one group compared to another group. However, measures of association are not as helpful for establishing causation or determining the exact cause of a relationship. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation, and additional research and experimentation are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of a relationship.