Question

Difference between prospective cohort and retrospective cohort studies

Answer 1

Prospective vs. Retrospective Studies. A prospective study watches for outcomes, such as the development of a disease, during the study period and relates this to other factors such as suspected risk or protection factor(s). The study usually involves taking acohort of subjects and watching them over a long period.

Answer 2

 (In retrospective cohort studies the follow-up period begins in the past.) The groups being compared differ in their exposure status. One measures and compares the incidence of the outcome in order to determine whether there is an association between the exposure and the outcome.