Prospective studies are studies that follow a large group of people over time.
For example, a study that follows 1,000 people for one year would contain 1,000 person years of data.
A study that follows 100 people for 10 years would also contain 1,000 person years of data.
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images
Survival analysis allows scientists to estimate how long it takes for half of a population to undergo an event.
However, today survival analysis is used by researchers across a number of fieldsfrom economics to medicine.
Using survival analysis means the time those people spent in the study will still count toward the results.
A few examples are:
Time is an important component in these studies.
2015;94(38):e1585.
2014;1(1):e41-8.
2013;40(11):842-5. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000035
