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Difficulty: EasyEpidemiologic Study Designs

A public health department is investigating the relationship between electronic cigarette use and asthma in adolescents. In a single week in May, researchers administer a one-time, anonymous questionnaire to 5,000 local high school students. The survey asks students to report their current electronic cigarette use and whether they currently experience asthma symptoms. The researchers use these data to determine the prevalence of asthma among e-cigarette users compared to non-users. Which of the following best describes the design of this study?

  1. Cross-sectional studyAnswer
  2. B
    Case-control study
  3. C
    Prospective cohort study
  4. D
    Retrospective cohort study
  5. E
    Ecological study

Answer

Cross-sectional study
The correct answer accurately identifies that a study taking a simultaneous 'snapshot' of both an exposure (e-cigarette use) and an outcome (asthma symptoms) at a single point in time in order to determine prevalence is a cross-sectional study.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the timing and method of data collection in the scenario.
The data is collected via a one-time questionnaire administered to students during a single week.
The temporal relationship between exposure and outcome measurement defines the study design.
2
Determine how participants were selected and how exposure and outcome are measured.
Participants were not selected based on disease or exposure status. Both exposure (e-cigarette use) and outcome (asthma) are measured simultaneously.
Simultaneous measurement of exposure and outcome to capture a snapshot of a population is the hallmark of a cross-sectional study.

Key Concept

Cross-sectional studies evaluate both the exposure and outcome simultaneously in a population at a single point in time, providing a snapshot that is useful for determining disease prevalence.
Estimated Time:45s
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Epidemiologic Study Designs

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