Question

Strengths and limitations of Cohort studies vs randomized controlled trials:

a) Cohort studies provide causal relationships, while randomized controlled trials have ethical concerns
b) Randomized controlled trials eliminate bias, while cohort studies lack generalizability
c) Cohort studies are cost-effective, while randomized controlled trials are time-consuming
d) Randomized controlled trials have higher external validity, while cohort studies are prone to confounding

Answer 1

Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have specific strengths and limitations. Cohort studies provide causal relationships, allow the observation of disease progression, and collect accurate data. RCTs eliminate bias, have higher external validity, but have ethical concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are both important types of research studies used in epidemiology and clinical research. The strengths of cohort studies include providing causal relationships between exposures and outcomes, allowing researchers to observe the progression of disease or conditions over time, and collecting more accurate data compared to self-reported recall data. On the other hand, RCTs eliminate bias by using random assignment and blinding methods and have higher external validity. They are also considered the gold standard for determining the efficacy of treatments or interventions. However, cohort studies are prone to confounding and lack the ability to control for other variables like RCTs. Moreover, RCTs have ethical concerns because the treatment allocation is random and might not prioritize patient interests.