Final answer:
In cohort studies, researchers follow a group of similar subjects over time to analyze disease frequency and calculate the relative risk. In case-control studies, researchers compare a group with the disease to a group without the disease to determine the associated risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cohort studies, researchers start with a group of similar subjects and follow them over time to collect data on disease frequency. The relative risk, also known as the risk ratio, is calculated by dividing the incidence of the health-related event in the exposed group by the incidence in the unexposed group. This ratio indicates the strength of the association between a risk factor and a disease.
In case-control studies, researchers start with a group of people with the disease (cases) and a group without the disease (controls). They compare the two groups to identify risk factors associated with the disease. By gathering information on past behaviors and characteristics, researchers can determine the effect of a risk factor on the development of the disease.