Final answer:
Descriptive studies, including case-control and cross-sectional types, are observational studies where researchers measure and observe without manipulating variables. They aim to understand human behaviors and use descriptive statistics to summarize findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Descriptive studies are a type of observational study, which is a nonexperimental scientific investigation. In such studies, researchers measure characteristics of a sample without manipulating the variables of interest. Descriptive studies are often used to understand human behavior, thoughts, or emotions through close observation of participants.
Case-control studies and cross-sectional studies are two common types of descriptive studies. Case-control studies compare two groups, one with a certain trait and one without, to explore past behaviors and their correlation with the present status. Conversely, cross-sectional studies collect data at a single point in time to observe current traits or behaviors within a sample.
In terms of data analysis, descriptive studies rely on descriptive statistics to summarize and describe the data. This includes calculating the mean, standard deviation, and interpreting data through tables or graphs to identify trends and relationships.