Cross Sectional Studies

Question 1

What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer 1

A ‘snapshot in time’ that compares one group of participants to another in that moment

Question 2

Advantages of cross sectional studies

Answer 2

-Cheap, fast and practical as Ps only tested once with no follow up study so requires less resources

-Ps more easily obtained as less pressure to remain in the study like in longitudinal research

-Less ethical concerns e.g. privacy

Question 3

Disadvantages of cross sectional studies

Answer 3

-Less detailed data than longitudinal studies in regards to individual participant differences

-Harder to analyse developmental trends