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🦠microbiology review

key term - Observational study

Citation:

Definition

An observational study is a research method where investigators observe subjects without intervening or manipulating the study environment. It aims to identify associations between variables, particularly in understanding disease patterns and causes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Observational studies are commonly used in epidemiology to track infectious diseases.
  2. They can be classified into cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies.
  3. Unlike experimental studies, observational studies do not involve random assignment of subjects.
  4. The main goal is to gather data on exposures and outcomes as they naturally occur among populations.
  5. Bias and confounding factors can affect the validity of observational study results.

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