Observational Descriptive Studies

Question 1

What is the purpose of a case report?

Answer 1

• Get a detailed, in-depth study of a person or event
• Give insight into phenomena that cannot be learned in any other way e.g. cannot be physically or ethically recreated
• Hypothesis generating

Question 2

What are the strengths of a case report?

Answer 2

• Hypothesis generating

- Describe new syndromes, e.g. AIDS

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of a case report?

Answer 3

Can’t test association as there is no comparison group

Question 4

What is the purpose of case series?

Answer 4

Same as for case report, except can generate more robust argument

Question 5

What are the strengths of case series?

Answer 5

Same as for case report

Hypothesis generating

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of case series?

Answer 6

Same as for case report

Prone to selection bias