cohort

A cohort is a term used in various fields such as sociology, epidemiology, marketing, and education to describe a group of individuals who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined period. The defining feature of a cohort is the shared attribute, which could relate to age, calendar period, behavioral patterns, or other criteria that unite the members.

In sociology and demography, a cohort often refers to a group of people born within the same time frame, such as a birth cohort. Researchers study these groups to analyze patterns related to aging, social changes, or population dynamics. For example, a "Baby Boomers" cohort includes individuals born between 1946 and 1964, whose behaviors and experiences are examined over time.

In epidemiology, cohorts are used in longitudinal studies to observe how specific exposures or characteristics influence health outcomes. A cohort study follows participants over a period to assess the incidence of diseases or health conditions, providing valuable information about risk factors and causal relationships.

In marketing and business, a cohort can describe groups of customers tracked over time to analyze purchasing behaviors, retention, or engagement. Such analyses help organizations tailor strategies and improve customer relationships.

The concept of a cohort emphasizes the temporal or shared characteristic among members, allowing researchers and analysts to understand patterns, trends, and lifespan changes within the group. Cohort analysis is a key methodology in understanding over-time effects and behaviors across various disciplines.

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