The essential Features of descriptive studies are:
To describe present or past characteristics of persons with a particular outcome or a particular exposure and/or to determine incidence or prevalence of an outcome and exposure.
Only one group is studied. No comparison group is used.
No conclusion can be made about the association between exposure and outcome. Information derived from such studies may suggest possible associations which require further study using analytical design.
They may be prospective or retrospective in time.
Description study is limited to a description of the occurrence of the diseases in a population.
Description studies allow the generation of hypotheses; which can be tested by analytical or experimental design of studies subsequently-WHO.
It is often 1st step of epidemiological investigation (WHO-Park).
It includes the collection, analysis&interpretation of data. Both qualitative & quantitative tech may be used including questionnaires, interviews, observation of participants, service statistics & documents –WHO
This study involves the following three questions:-