What defines a "case-control study" in research?

A case-control study is defined as a research design that focuses on comparing individuals who have a specific condition or outcome (cases) with individuals who do not have the condition (controls). The primary aim of this type of study is to identify and evaluate the risk factors or exposures that may be associated with the occurrence of the condition. By comparing the past exposures of the two groups, researchers can draw conclusions about potential causes or contributors to the condition being studied.

This method is particularly valuable in medical and social sciences research when examining rare diseases or outcomes, as it allows for the efficient identification of potential risk factors by selecting individuals based on their disease status and then looking back at their exposure history. In contrast to the other options, which do not accurately capture the essence of a case-control design, this definition highlights the comparative nature of the study and its focus on identifying associations between risk factors and health outcomes.