Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What type of statistical study allows estimation of relative risk from results?

1. Descriptive study

2. Retrospective study

3. Experimental study

4. Prospective study

The correct answer is: Retrospective study

The correct choice highlights the role of a retrospective study in estimating relative risk. Retrospective studies analyze existing data collected in the past to examine relationships between exposures and outcomes. For example, researchers might look at medical records to identify a group of individuals who have a specific illness and compare them to a control group without the illness to determine the exposure levels of various risk factors. This type of study allows for calculating measures like relative risk because it can assess the likelihood of an outcome based on previous exposures. By comparing the incidence of a certain condition between those with and without exposure, researchers can derive crucial insights regarding risk factors and their potential effects on health. Other types of studies, such as descriptive studies, primarily provide an overview of characteristics within a population without inferring cause-effect relationships or risk estimates. Experimental studies involve manipulation of variables and typically require a controlled environment to assess outcomes directly, while prospective studies follow participants forward in time from their current status to observe future outcomes. While both prospective and experimental studies can also lead to relative risk estimation, retrospective studies are particularly efficient for this purpose when considering past exposures and their effects.