Final answer:
The correct answer to the study type where subjects are followed over time to examine the association between exposure and outcome is a Cohort study. This is a prospective observational study that can track disease progression and is also a type of longitudinal study.
Step-by-step explanation:
When subjects are followed over time to examine associations between exposure and outcome of interest, the type of study being described is a Cohort study. A cohort study involves selecting a group of similar subjects at the start and following them prospectively into the future. This allows researchers to collect data periodically and establish a sequence of progression of disease states or other conditions. Cohort studies can offer more accurate data compared to the self-reported data of case-control studies, as they track the progression of subjects over time, often for many years. This method is distinct from cross-sectional studies that only capture data at a single point in time, or case-control studies, which are retrospective and compare subjects with a certain characteristic to those without it.
Longitudinal studies are another term for research designs that involve following subjects over a long period, and cohort studies are a type of longitudinal study. They can include tens of thousands of individuals and provide robust data that can be applicable to the larger population.
In the context of the question, option C) Cohort study is the correct answer.