Retrospective

Retrospective (/rɛtrəˈspɛktɪv/), derived from the Latin term retrospectare, meaning "look back", is a term often used in medicine and psychology to describe a method of research that involves looking back at historical information.

Definition

In the field of medicine, a retrospective study is a type of observational study that involves the analysis of data collected from past events. It contrasts with a prospective study, which looks forward and follows individuals as they age.

Usage

Retrospective studies are often used in epidemiology and medical research to establish patterns, causes, and effects in diseases. They are particularly useful in studying rare diseases or diseases with long latency periods.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of retrospective studies is that they can be conducted relatively quickly as the data has already been collected. They are also less expensive than prospective studies. However, they are more prone to selection bias and recall bias, as they rely on past data and memories, which may not be accurate.

Related Terms

Cohort study: A type of observational study where a group of people are followed over time.
Case-control study: A type of observational study where two existing groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute.
Cross-sectional study: A type of observational study that involves the analysis of data collected from a population, or a representative subset, at one specific point in time.