Cross-sectional study

Definition

A cross-sectional study is an observational study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time. It is often used to assess the prevalence of diseases or health conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cross-sectional studies can identify associations between risk factors and disease prevalence but cannot establish causality.
2. These studies are relatively quick and inexpensive compared to longitudinal studies.
3. They are useful for generating hypotheses that can be tested in future research.
4. Data from cross-sectional studies can be collected through surveys, medical records, or lab tests.
5. One limitation is the potential for recall bias if participants self-report their data.

Review Questions

• What is the primary limitation of a cross-sectional study when determining disease causality?
• How do cross-sectional studies differ from longitudinal studies in terms of duration and cost?
• In what ways can data be collected for a cross-sectional study?

Related terms

Longitudinal Study: An observational study that follows subjects over a period of time to observe long-term effects.

Prevalence:

The proportion of a population found to have a condition at a specific point in time.

Observational Study: A type of study where researchers observe outcomes without intervening or altering variables.