Final answer:
A case-control study is a type of observational study used to determine the relationship between a risk factor and the development of a disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
A case-control study is a type of observational study used to determine the relationship between a risk factor and the development of a disease. In this study, a group of subjects with the trait of interest (cases) is compared to a group of similar subjects without the trait (controls). By analyzing the behaviors and characteristics of the two groups, researchers can identify associations between specific risk factors and the disease in question.