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Observational study
Study in which the assignment of subjects to control or treated groups is outside the investigator's control.
Designs (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) that observe naturally occurring exposures rather than randomly assigning them. Inferences about effects come from comparisons across groups.
How one textbook covers it
Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary
Designs (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) that observe naturally occurring exposures rather than randomly assigning them. Inferences about effects come from comparisons across groups.
Related terms
Cohort, Epidemiology, Prospective study