Both studies start with a control group and try to find out the association between cause and effect. So where does the difference lie?
Analytical cross sectional? Well there is descriptive cross sectional and analytical studies. Analytical studies consist of two types namely Case control and Cohort studies. So analytical cross sectional as mentioned by you is probably a new study design! Kindly throw more light here?
Replying to Prosper Adogu . As with other analytical studies (case control study, cohort study and trials), analytical cross sectional studies are supposed to have a control group at a outset. However, they are weaker than other analytical studies, as the temporal association between exposure and outcome cannot be established.
As a follow up from Sharmistha Bhattacherjee explanation, it follows that cross sectional studies (wether analytical or descriptive) are snapshots which measure both predictors and outcomes simultaneously, making it difficult to distinguish the dependent from the independent variable. Typically, analytical cross sectional studies do not have comparison groups that qualify as controls...a good control should be similar to the test or case group in all respects but for the variable under investigation (disease or exposure for case control and cohort studies respectively). The reason for an appropriate control is to avoid the effect of confounding variables like age, gender etc on the outcomes. In summary, analytical cross sectional studies do not have appropriate controls as opposed to case control study designs. I hope this helps.
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