"Observational designs are nonexperimental, quantitative designs. In contrast to experimental designs in which the investigator manipulates the independent variable and observes its effect, the investigator conducting observational research observes both the independent and dependent variables. In observational studies, variation in the independent variable may be due to genetic endowment, self-selection, or occupational or environmental exposures."
There are three types of observational study designs:
In a case-control study,
" participants are selected and categorized on the basis of the dependent variable (the outcome of interest). The purpose of the study is to test hypotheses about factors in the past (independent variables) that may explain the outcome."
With a cohort study,
"participants are measured or categorized on the basis of the independent variable and are monitored over time to observe occurrence of the dependent variable. In a cohort study, it is established at the outset that subjects have not already exhibited the outcomes of interest (dependent variable)."
And with a cross-sectional study,
"participants are observed only once, offering a 'snapshot' of the characteristics of interest at that particular moment."
There are no filters for observational studies in the search system or databases. The best way to find these types of articles is to add a keyword of the study type to your search statement. Examples:
There are also filters in specific databases that allow you to limit your search results to case reports, case studies or observational studies only.
To find observational studies in Medline, follow the steps below.
To find observational studies in PubMed, follow the steps below.
Note! With any of these searches, you will need to limit to full text to get articles immediately available to you.
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