What Are the Key Differences Among Observational Studies?
- Cohort Studies: These studies follow groups of individuals who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined period. They can be prospective (following subjects into the future) or retrospective (looking back at historical data).
- Case-Control Studies: These studies compare individuals with a specific condition (cases) to those without (controls), aiming to identify factors that may contribute to the condition. They are particularly effective for studying rare diseases.
- Cross-Sectional Studies: These studies analyze data from a population at a single point in time. They help in understanding the prevalence of a condition or characteristic in a population.
