Question

A researcher wanted to prove the relation between COPD and smoking. He collected patients records from government hospitals and records of cigarette sales from the finance and taxation department. This is an example of which study design:

• A. Cross-sectional
• B. Posological study
• C. Ecological study
• D. Operations research

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine the type of study design described in the question, let's examine the characteristics of each option provided:

• Cross-sectional study: This study design involves observing a specific population at a single point in time, allowing researchers to find associations between variables. However, it does not fit the scenario described as it focuses on data from one point in time rather than retrospective external data sources.
• Posological study: This is typically related to the study of dosages of drugs or treatments and their effects, which is unrelated to the scenario in question.
• Ecological study: This design analyzes data based on groups or populations rather than individuals. It observes the relationship between exposure (e.g., cigarette sales) and outcomes (e.g., COPD records from hospitals) using aggregate data from different sources. This matches the scenario where data from government hospitals and the finance department were collected.
• Operations research: This approach involves the application of analytical methods to improve decision-making, which is not applicable here as it does not involve exploring the relationship between population-level exposures and outcomes.

Based on the characteristics described, the most suitable study design for the scenario presented is an Ecological study, as it incorporates observations from different data sources to examine the relationship at a population level.