Longitudinal Designs

Question 1

Longitudinal designs

A01- Definition

Answer 1

• Involves studying the same participants over a LONG PERIOD of time, documenting any changes which occur
• The development or time based changes can be seen through the PATTERN of MEASUREMENTS
• Link to clinical= clinicians may monitor changes in symptoms in a patient group undergoing a certain treatment. Measurement may be of SYMPTOM EXPRESSION and SEVERITY at certain intervals over a specific time period. This can demonstrate any REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS which would indicate treatment EFFECTIVENESS

Question 2

Longitudinal designs

A01-Use in clinical

Answer 2

• May involve tracking progress of a mental illness throughout a LIFE SPAN to document change in symptoms or intensity of particular disorders
• Vary in length: they may include long term effectiveness of a treatment programme eg comparing CBT to drugs, documenting change in symptoms/severity, or number or replaces/hospitalisation during or after treatment
• Best way to see how a disorder develops, would make be difficult otherwise to study development of mental illnesses without a longitudinal study. Need to see how it affects functioning over time, makes sense to follow the same individual.

Question 3

Longitudinal designs

A03

Answer 3

As longitudinal research follow the same participants over time, it allows researcher control over participant variables. The same individual and developmental issues would be present throughout the study, therefore they can account for and control them, improving the validity as a clear cause and effect conclusion can be established.

Question 4

Longitudinal designs

A03

Answer 4

Longitudinal designs also tend to be high in mundane realism as participants are studied in their natural environment. Therefore their behaviour is likely to be more natural and genuine allowing the researcher to gather more accurate results representing the target population. This means when applying the results of the study the application is likely to be far more valid and useful in real life.

Question 5

Longitudinal designs

A03

Answer 5

However there are practical issues in terms of the length which may outweigh the benefits of the research. As such studies can continues over long time periods such as years, some of the data gathered may be outdated or impacted by drop outs reducing the accuracy of the overall conclusion reached. This paired with the expensive nature of the study suggests in many cases the cost outweighs the benefits of the study, showing it is not a practical or useful design for most investigations

Question 6

Longitudinal designs

A03

Answer 6

There also may be issues in terms of drop outs due to the length of the study which can lead to biases in the data. Researchers may gather less data to base their conclusions off, or there may be something in common with the participants who do stay on such as being more confident which could also skew the results. Therefore, the conclusions reached may be limited in validity and so less credible.