which-observational-study-type-is-most-appropriate-when-a-researcher-wants-to-st

Question

Which observational study type is most appropriate when a researcher wants to study a rare disease and compare prior exposures between those with and without the disease?

Accepted Answer

Case-control study, because it identifies cases with the disease and suitable controls to retrospectively compare prior exposures

Answer

Ecological time-series analysis at the national level, because individual-level exposure data are not required for rare disease studies

Answer

Prospective cohort study of the general population, because rare diseases are best studied by following everyone forward without selecting cases

Answer

Case study of a single patient to generalize risk factors for the entire population