/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 7 What does it mean when an observ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

What does it mean when an observational study is retrospective? What does it mean when an observational study is prospective?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Retrospective studies analyze past data; prospective studies follow subjects over time.

Step by step solution

01

- Define Retrospective Study

A retrospective study is an observational study where the outcomes have already occurred at the start of the study. Researchers look back in time to analyze data from past records to identify possible causal factors.
02

- Define Prospective Study

A prospective study is an observational study where outcomes have not yet occurred when the study begins. Researchers follow a group of individuals over time to see how different exposures affect future outcomes.
03

- Compare Both Types

The main difference between retrospective and prospective studies lies in the timing of the data being analyzed. Retrospective studies investigate past data, while prospective studies track subjects forward in time.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Retrospective Study
A retrospective study is a type of observational study. This means researchers observe and analyze data but do not intervene. In retrospective studies, researchers look back in time. They use existing data from past records or events. This data is then analyzed to identify patterns or causal factors. For example, scientists might look at medical records to study the effects of a past treatment. These types of studies can be cost-effective since data has already been collected.
Here are some key points:
  • The outcomes have already occurred when the study starts.
  • They rely on historical data or records.
  • They help in understanding trends or causes of past events.
Prospective Study
Unlike retrospective studies, prospective studies look forward in time. Researchers start with a group of subjects and follow them over a period. They observe how different exposures affect future outcomes. For example, a study may track individuals' diets over several years to see how it impacts their health. These studies can provide higher quality data because they are planned and controlled from the beginning.
Key features include:
  • The outcomes have not occurred yet when the study starts.
  • Researchers follow subjects over time.
  • They can establish a clearer cause-and-effect relationship.
Research Methodology
Research methodology refers to the systematic process used in scientific studies. It includes the strategies, methods, and techniques applied for collecting and analyzing data. Choosing the correct methodology is crucial for the validity of any research. Both retrospective and prospective studies have their methods:
For Retrospective Studies:
  • Collect existing data from records, surveys, or other sources.
  • Analyze data to identify patterns or causal factors.
For Prospective Studies:
  • Define the study group and the period of observation.
  • Regularly collect data as subjects progress through the study.
  • Analyze future outcomes to determine the impact of different exposures.
Good research methodology ensures that the findings are reliable, valid, and accurate.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The survey has bias. (a) Determine the type of bias. (b) Suggest a remedy. A newspaper article reported, "The Cosmopolitan magazine survey of more than 5000 Australian women aged \(18-34\) found about 42 percent considered themselves overweight or obese."

In Problems 11-22, identify the type of sampling used. The presider of a guest-lecture series at a university stands outside the auditorium before a lecture begins and hands every fifth person who arrives, beginning with the third, a speaker evaluation survey to be completed and returned at the end of the program.

Discuss a possible advantage of offering rewards or incentives to increase response rates. Are there any disadvantages?

A student entering a doctoral program in educational psychology is required to select two courses from the list of courses provided as part of his or her program. EPR 616, Research in Child Development EPR 630, Educational Research Planning and Interpretation EPR 631, Nonparametric Statistics EPR 632, Methods of Multivariate Analysis EPR 645, Theory of Measurement EPR 649, Fieldwork Methods in Educational Research EPR \(650,\) Interpretive Methods in Educational Research (a) List all possible two-course selections. (b) Comment on the likelihood that the pair of courses EPR 630 and EPR 645 will be selected.

Researchers Sally Tracy and associates undertook a cross-sectional study looking at the method of delivery and cost of delivery for first-time "low risk" mothers under three delivery scenarios: (1) Caseload midwifery (2) Standard hospital care (3) Private obstetric care The results of the study revealed that \(58.5 \%\) of all births with midwifery were vaginal deliveries compared with \(48.2 \%\) of standard hospital births and \(30.8 \%\) of private obstetric care. In addition, the costs of delivery from midwifery was \(\$ 3903.78\) compared with \(\$ 5279.23\) for standard hospital care and \(\$ 5413.69\) for private obstetric care. Source: Sally K Tracy, Alec Welsh, Donna Hartz, Anne Lainchbury, Andrew Bisits, Jan White, and Mark Tracy "Caseload midwifery compared to standard or private obstetric care for first time mothers in a public teaching hospital in Australia: a cross sectional study of cost and birth outcomes" BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2014,14:46 (a) Why is this a cross-sectional observational study? (b) Name the explanatory variable in the study. (c) Name the two response variables in the study and determine whether each is qualitative or quantitative.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.