Which statement about cross-sectional studies is most accurate?
A) More than one group can be compared.
B) Only descriptive data can be measured.
C) Data are collected retrospectively rather than prospectively.
D) Data collection and data analysis can occur simultaneously.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies are a type of observational research design that involve the collection of data from a population or a representative subset of that population at a single point in time. In cross-sectional studies, researchers can compare more than one group simultaneously, which makes them useful for studying the prevalence of health outcomes, risk factors, and other variables of interest across different populations. Unlike longitudinal studies, cross-sectional studies do not follow participants over time and, therefore, cannot establish causality. However, they can provide valuable insights into patterns and associations of health-related variables in different populations. Cross-sectional studies can collect both descriptive and inferential data and can occur prospectively or retrospectively, depending on the research question and the study design. Data collection and analysis can occur simultaneously in cross-sectional studies, making them a relatively quick and cost-effective way to obtain health-related information from different populations.

Which Statement About Cross-Sectional Studies Is Most Accurate