retrospective studies

Retrospective studies analyze existing data from the past to understand relationships between factors and outcomes. Researchers look back at medical records, surveys, or other documents to identify patterns or causes of health conditions, treatments, or events. Since the data has already been collected, these studies are generally quicker and less expensive than new experiments. They help identify potential links or risks but can't establish cause-and-effect as definitively as prospective studies. Overall, retrospective studies are valuable for exploring questions where existing information can provide meaningful insights without requiring new data collection.