The title is rather self-explanatory. The study involves multiple centers to obtain a sufficient cohort size. It is a prospective study meaning an ongoing effort of data production/collection (rather than a retrospective where data is already present) and an observational study, meaning there is no intervention. Generally, it involves the comparison of existing methods of treatment (or estimating risk factors, etc) for a given disease/disorder with defined endpoints/measures of success to compare these different method. Some examples are:
1. LapGoGesic study
2. CHOCOOATE study
3. The Framingham heart study
It refers to an epidemiologic study. You can choose the groups of individuals (cohorts) from more than 2 centers (multiple centers) on the bases of factors that you want to investigate. Then, you follow up the cohorts over a period of time (prospective) to find out the incidence rates of the outcomes. As Emmadi points out observational study means there is no intervention, you just observe the outcomes.
Multi-center = Many investigator sites involved in the clinical trial
Prospective = Planned study
Observational = Not a randomized trial. They belong to the design 'Catch as catch you can', much like fishing in a pond.
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