When researchers decide to use public records to analyze the correlation between diabetes prevalence and café franchises, what type of study are they conducting?

In this scenario, the researchers are utilizing public records to examine the relationship between diabetes prevalence and the presence of café franchises. This approach indicates that they are focused on identifying whether there is a correlation, or a statistical relationship, between these two variables without manipulating any factors or introducing interventions.

A correlational study is designed to assess the association between variables. By analyzing existing data from public records, the researchers can identify patterns or trends that suggest relationships, but they are not conducting experiments or interventions that would establish causation. This type of study is particularly valuable in fields like public health and epidemiology where researchers often seek to identify potential associations in naturalistic settings.

Other study designs, such as experimental, descriptive, or longitudinal studies, serve different purposes. Experimental studies involve manipulating variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships, descriptive studies focus on summarizing characteristics of a dataset without specifically examining relationships among the variables, and longitudinal studies track changes over time within a single group or population. In contrast, the researchers' objective here specifically aligns with identifying correlations, making correlational study the appropriate classification.