This paper may be of some assistance for distinguishing between different types of studies. My understanding is that cross-sectional studies collect data from a population sample at a single moment in time (like when you calculate prevalence). Cohort studies are long term studies that follow up with the selected patients to collect data on disease and lifestyle (this is useful for trying to identify risk factors, while also collecting data on incidence and disease history). Case-control studies are retrospective studies of a selection of patients with the disease of interest and a control sample of people that are unaffected (this is often used to try to trace risk factors as well, but it takes a shorter time and is less expensive). Each type of study has its pros and cons. Check out the attached paper for more info. I hope that helps!

The answer is simple cross sectional studies gives a snapshot of that topic at particular time and used to calculate prevalence while case control studies can be retrospective and prospective and they are used to calculate odds ratio, relative risk

thank you Ankit Gaur .

In a Case-control study, you start with cases and controls of a disease. You then go back in time to check for exposure to risk factors. This will give you information on four groups. 1. People with exposure who developed the disease 2. People with exposure who did not develope the disease 3. People without exposure who developed the disease 4. People without exposure who did not develop the disease.

It involves collection of data retrospectively.

A cross-sectional study involves collection of data at a single time point.

Example: survey research.

In cross-sectional study, exposure and outcome data will be collected at a single point of time, where as in case control study based on outcome status we will divide subjects into cases and control, later exposure status will be assessed retrospectively by medical records.

In CSS time-relation is not established, but in CCS it is possible to establish.