Cross Sectional Observational Study

In cross sectional research you observe variables without influencing them.

Cross sectional observational study. Cross sectional studies are observational in nature and are known as descriptive research not causal or relational meaning that you can t use them to determine the cause of something such as a disease. The distinctions are studied to find out how they affect the participating population at a given moment in time. The chosen variables usually have some similarities and one major distinction.

This study type is also known as cross sectional analysis transverse study or prevalence study. No incidence can be determined hence they are also called prevalence studies. In medical research social science and biology a cross sectional study also known as a cross sectional analysis transverse study prevalence study is a type of observational study that analyzes data from a population or a representative subset at a specific point in time that is cross sectional data.

The main purpose of these studies are usually descriptive but sometimes are carried out to investigate associations between exposures and outcomes. Cross sectional studies provide a snapshot of the status of the population at one point in time. Definition a cross sectional study is defined as a type of observational research that analyzes data of variables collected at one given point in time across asamplepopulation or a pre defined subset.

Cross sectional research is an observational research methodology that tries to understand and sort out the differences between two or more variables. Cohort cross sectional and case control studies are collectively referred to as observational studies. With this type of study only the prevalence of conditions can be ascertained i e.

Often these studies are the only practicable method of studying various problems for example studies of aetiology instances where a randomised controlled trial might be unethical or if the condition to be studied is rare. Researchers record the information that is present in a population but they do not manipulate variables. Although cross sectional research does not involve conducting experiments researchers often use it to understand outcomes in the physical and social sciences and many business industries.