I understand that the concept of a cross sectional study design is the collection of data at a single point/snap shoot/ in time rather than retrospective or prospectively. Despite this, I have seen studies published in reputable journals that used either a retrospective or prospective cross-sectional study design. Is there a study design that is classified as retrospective or prospective cross-sectional?
A cross sectional survey, repeated at different time points, could be described as a retrospective or prospective study depending on the times chosen.
Hello Akuma,
Thank you for posting your question.
Well, the consensus is that cross-sectional studies are neither prospective nor retrospective per se. Rather, they are a snapshot of a population represented by the responses/data collected from the sample.
Some studies may use retrospective or prospective in their manuscripts to better explain the method data was collected.
"Retrospective" cross-sectional studies are based on data that have already been collected previously from databases at a single point in time.
"Prospective" cross-sectional studies, however, are based on data that will be collected in the future through forms/surveys/questionnaires, etc...
In simple words, retrospective cross-sectional studies are based on data that have already been collected (no new data will be collected). Conversely, prospective cross-sectional studies aim to collect new data (i.e, you don't have the data you need when you start the study).
I hope that answers your question!
This could be a serial cross-sectional study or a cross-sectional study in which data collection occurs prospectively in relation to the research design, but people are interviewed only once.
Multi-stage cross sectional study. (It is a type of longitudinal study) but not cohort or panel or trend studies that mentioned in surveillance system.
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