Question

3. Please conduct a literature search and find 5 examples of research studies with cross-sectional study design. What were the independent and dependent variables in each of these studies? Add references for each example.

4. Please conduct a literature search and find 5 examples of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). What were the independent and dependent variables in each of these studies? Add references for each example.

Answer 1

Cross-Sectional Study:-

Cross-sectional study is defined as an observational research that analyzes data of variables collected at one given point of time across a sample population.

Cross-sectional research involves using different groups of people who differ in the variable of interest but share other characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, educational background, and ethnicity. This study type is also known as cross-sectional analysis, transverse study or prevalence study.

The data collected in a cross-sectional study is from people who are similar in all variables except the one variable which is under study.

Few examples of Cross-sectional studies are-

1. Retail – In retail, a cross-sectional study is applied on males and females between the ages 25-35 to check for spending or purchase trend differences between the different gender group. Independent variable is Age, Dependent variable is Purchase/spent
2. Business – In business, a cross-sectional study can be conducted to know how people of different socio-economic status from one geographical segment respond to one change in an offering.
3. Health care – A cross-sectional study in health care is used to understand how prone kids between the age of 2-12 across different boroughs in the US are prone to a low calcium deficiency.
4. Education – A cross-sectional study in education is particularly helpful to understand how either males or females from a similar age bracket but different ethnicities react to their grasp of a certain object.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT):-

A study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group.As the study is conducted, the only expected difference between the control and experimental groups in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the outcome variable being studied.

Example:

1. An NGO, iPads 4 All (i4A), plans to distribute iPads to low-income children in a developing country. i4A want to evaluate the impact that an iPad has on children’s education, health and future income levels. It’s likely that they will never have enough iPads to cover all the children that “deserve” one. Instead of ad hoc distribution to the children who express interest, or are nearby, or who the government determines as “neediest”, an RCT would randomize their access.