Question

A researcher looked through town records to see who amongst the town's retirees had spent their careers primarily working indoors versus outdoors. Once enrolled, they surveyed and screened for the presence of any form of skin cancer. This is an example of:

Answer 1

Answer:

A retrospective cohort study

Explanation:

A cohort study is an observational study in which individuals are classified (or selected) according to exposure status (exposed and unexposed) and followed to assess the incidence of the disease over a given period of time. Cohort studies can also be used to assess the risks and benefits of using a particular medication.

In the case of the research exposed in the question, one researcher analyzed the city's records to see who among the city's retirees had spent their careers working mostly indoors, without sun exposure; and outdoors with sun exposure. The sun is a major cause of hair cancer. Once participants were enrolled and screened, the scientist researched and examined the incidence of any form of skin cancer. This is a perfect example of a retrospective cohort study.