A cross-sectional study is a type of research design that examines data from a population at a specific point in time. This method allows researchers to assess the prevalence of certain characteristics, behaviors, or health outcomes within a group, such as adults, children, or patients with a specific condition. These studies are often used in fields like epidemiology and social sciences to identify patterns and correlations. However, they do not establish cause-and-effect relationships, as they only provide a snapshot rather than tracking changes over time.