Retrospective Study
In a retrospective study, in contrast to a prospective study, the outcome of interest has already occurred at the time the study is initiated. There are two types of retrospective study: a case–control study and a retrospective cohort study. A retrospective study design allows the investigator to formulate hypotheses about possible associations between an outcome and an exposure and to further investigate the potential relationships. However, a causal statement on this association usually should not be made from a retrospective study.
In conducting a retrospective study, an investigator typically uses administrative databases, medical records, or interviews with patients who are already known to have a disease or condition. Generally, a retrospective study is the method of choice for the study of a rare outcome, for a ...
Looks like you do not have access to this content.
Reader's Guide
Descriptive Statistics
Distributions
Graphical Displays of Data
Hypothesis Testing
Important Publications
Inferential Statistics
Item Response Theory
Mathematical Concepts
Measurement Concepts
Organizations
Publishing
Qualitative Research
Reliability of Scores
Research Design Concepts
Research Designs
Research Ethics
Research Process
Research Validity Issues
Sampling
Scaling
Software Applications
Statistical Assumptions
Statistical Concepts
Statistical Procedures
Statistical Tests
Theories, Laws, and Principles
Types of Variables
Validity of Scores
- All
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z