Reference no: EM133249787

The major difference between the case-control study and the randomized control study is how the participants for the study are chosen.

Randomized control studies (RCTs) choose the participants for both the control and the interventional group through blind random selection while case-control studies choose them based on specific characteristics which are known to the researcher (Curley, 2020). Case-control studies tend to be low-cost and can be performed over a shorter timeframe which is a definite advantage (Curley, 2020). However. the lack of randomization in the choosing of participants increases the likelihood of an external factor acting on the variables and being responsible for the results (Curley, 2020). Curley states that the use of matching has been shown to decrease the likelihood of external factors but this is still a great disadvantage when compared to RCTs (2020).

Correlational studies use populations or groups as opposed to individuals, they are non-experimental, and measure the variables and assess collected data to show that a correlation or statistical relationship exists yet are unable to prove there is an actual association without further research (Curley, 2020). According to Curley, case-control studies fall on level 4 of the research pyramid which consists of 7 total levels (2020). The bottom of the pyramid consists of those study types that have the weakest research evidence while the top of the pyramid has the strongest research evidence (Curley, 2020). Case-control studies being classified as level 4 indicates that they are mid-level for the strength of evidence.