Evaluation of Longitudinal Studies Flashcards
Why does longitudinal studies have low generalisability?
The cohort might not be representative of the generations that come after it
Why do longitudinal studies lack reliability?
A problem is that, over a long period of time, the researchers can form relationships with the participants and influence how they develop. Terman found this problem with his ‘Termites’ when he tried to help them with their careers.
What is an application to longitudinal studies?
The main use of longitudinal studies is to find “risk factors” or “predictors” of things like success in adulthood, mental disorders or criminality.
Why is Validity low in longitudinal studies?
Researchers must watch out for the Hawthorne Effect. This is a confounding variable in studies where participants work harder or have better health outcomes because of the boost to their self-esteem for being monitored in a study.
Why are ethics breached in longitudinal studies?
Longitudinal studies of cohorts of children have a particular ethical issue, because the researchers are interfering with the children’s development just by studying them.
