Case control study
Case control study (pronunciation: /keɪs kənˈtroʊl ˈstʌdi/) is a type of observational study in epidemiology that compares two groups of people: those with the disease or condition under study (the cases) and a very similar group of people who do not have the disease or condition (the controls).
Etymology
The term "case control study" is derived from the method's use of cases who have the condition and controls who do not. The term was first used in the 20th century in the field of public health.
Methodology
In a case control study, the researcher starts by identifying individuals with the disease or condition under study, as well as a control group without the disease. The researcher then looks back in time to learn which subjects in each group were exposed to the risk factor. This retrospective approach is a distinguishing feature of case control studies.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Case control studies are advantageous because they are relatively inexpensive and quick to conduct. They are particularly useful for studying rare diseases, multiple risk factors, and diseases with long latency periods. However, they are also prone to certain biases, such as recall bias and selection bias. Furthermore, they cannot provide incidence rates or relative risks directly, but only provide the odds ratio.
Related Terms
- Cohort study: A type of observational study where a group of people are followed over time to see who develops the disease or condition.
- Cross-sectional study: A type of observational study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.
- Bias (epidemiology): Systematic error in an epidemiological study that results in an incorrect estimate of the association between exposure and risk of disease.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Case control study
- Wikipedia's article - Case control study
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