Final answer:
A prospective study is an observational study where a cohort is followed over time to study disease progression or conditions. It provides accurate data by monitoring events as they occur but can be expensive and complex to conduct.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a Prospective Study?
A prospective study is a type of observational study in which researchers follow a group of similar subjects over a period of time to collect and analyze data. This cohort is selected at the start of the study and is observed prospectively, meaning into the future, to establish the sequence of development for certain diseases or conditions. By directly collecting the data as events unfold, prospective studies can often provide more accurate data than retrospective studies, such as case-control studies that rely on past recall.
Prospective studies are instrumental in understanding the risk factors and progression of diseases in a given population or cohort. The design allows for a temporal relationship between exposure factors and outcomes to be established, which is crucial for determining causality. However, these studies can be costly and logistically complex to conduct.
Types of Observational Studies: Observational studies can be categorized in different ways, such as cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, with prospective cohort studies being the most resource-intensive due to the long-term nature of data collection and follow-up.