cross-sectional study
(kros-SEK-shuh-nul STUH-dee)
A type of research study in which a group of people is observed, or certain information is collected, at a single point in time or over a short period of time. For example, a survey may be done to collect information about the total number of people in a group who have or had a certain disease (such as cancer) or risk factor (such as smoking or obesity). In this example, the survey may be able to provide some information about whether there is an association between the smoking (risk factor) and the cancer (disease) but does not prove that they are linked. Results from a cross-sectional study may be used to plan other research studies. A cross-sectional study is a type of observational (epidemiologic) study.