Agroup of scientists suspects that certain dietary practices are partially responsible for different rates of hypertension among adults of different ethnic/racial groups. to test their hypothesis, the researchers examine data concerning the different population groups' hypertension rates and their past dietary practices. this research is a study.

retrospective

Explanation:

Retrospective study: The given study looks backwards and identifies exposures to protection factors or expected risk related to an outcome that is established at the beginning of the study.

It investigates an issue or phenomenon that has happened in the past.

In retrospective studies, the research method utilizes and collect data about a person's experiences of past events.