Cross-sectional studies measure the cause (exposure) and the effect (disease) at the same point in time . They compare the rates of diseases or symptoms of an exposed group with an unexposed group. Strictly speaking, the exposure information is ascertained simultaneously with the disease information.
What is a cross-sectional study?
A cross-sectional study examines the relationship between disease (or other health related state) and other variables of interest as they exist in a defined population at a single point in time or over a short period of time (e.g. calendar year).
Is a cross-sectional study an epidemiological study?
On the other hand, a cross-sectional study is a perfectly fine tool for descriptive epidemiology purposes . ... Cross-sectional studies measure exposure and disease status at the same time, and are better suited to descriptive epidemiology than causation.
What is an example of cross-sectional study?
A cross-sectional study involves looking at data from a population at one specific point in time. ... For example, researchers studying developmental psychology might select groups of people who are different ages but investigate them at one point in time.
Why do a cross-sectional study?
The benefit of a cross-sectional study design is that it allows researchers to compare many different variables at the same time . We could, for example, look at age, gender, income and educational level in relation to walking and cholesterol levels, with little or no additional cost.
What is a disadvantage of a cross-sectional study?
The disadvantages of cross-sectional study include: Cannot be used to analyze behavior over a period to time . Does not help determine cause and effect . The timing of the snapshot is not guaranteed to be representative .
Is a questionnaire a cross-sectional study?
Cross-sectional surveys can be conducted using any mode of data collection , including telephone interviews in which landline telephones are called, telephone interviews in which cell phones are called, face-to-face interviews, mailed questionnaires, other self-administered questionnaires, electronic mail, Web data ...
What are the 3 major types of epidemiologic studies?
Three major types of epidemiologic studies are cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies (study designs are discussed in more detail in IOM, 2000). A cohort, or longitudinal, study follows a defined group over time.
What are the 3 types of observational study?
Three types of observational studies include cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies (Figure 1).
What level is a cross sectional study?
Cross sectional study designs and case series form the lowest level of the aetiology hierarchy . In the cross sectional design, data concerning each subject is often recorded at one point in time.
What are the strengths of a cross-sectional study?
The main strength of cross-sectional studies is that they are relatively quick and inexpensive to conduct . They are the best way to determine the prevalence and can study the associations of multiple exposures and outcomes.
What is cross sectional data examples?
Cross-sectional data are observations that come from different individuals or groups at a single point in time. If one considered the closing prices of a group of 20 different tech stocks on December 15, 1986 , this would be an example of cross-sectional data.
How is cross-sectional study done?
In a cross-sectional study, the investigator measures the outcome and the exposures in the study participants at the same time . ... After the entry into the study, the participants are measured for outcome and exposure at the same time [Figure 1]. The investigator can study the association between these variables.
What is cross section area?
The cross-sectional area is the area of a two-dimensional shape that is obtained when a three-dimensional object – such as a cylinder – is sliced perpendicular to some specified axis at a point . ... For example, the cross-section of a cylinder – when sliced parallel to its base – is a circle.
Is a cross-sectional study a cohort study?
Stated differently, the cross-sectional cohort study is a retrospective cohort study with all exposure and outcome information collected retrospectively , and with an unknown amount of loss to follow-up.
What is cross-sectional validity?
Definition. Cross-Sectional Validity addresses the issue of whether or not the instrument assesses the construct as defined in the measurement model .
