Longitudinal Studies + Cross Sectional Studies

Question 1

What are Longitudinal Studies?

Answer 1

A study conducted over a long period of time in order to observe long-term effects.
Example = difference between people of different ages

Question 2

What is the Advantage of Using Longitudinal Studies?

Answer 2

Control of participant variables

Question 3

What are the Disadvantages of Using Longitudinal Studies?

Answer 3

• Participants likely to drop out which leaves a biased sample/too small sample
• Participants likely to become aware of the research aims + their behaviour may be affetced
• Takes long time to complete - difficult to finance
• Findings may not be generalisable because of the unique characteristics of cohort

Question 4

What are Cross Sectional Studies?

Answer 4

• Also known as ‘Snapshot Studies’ - snapshot is taken at a particular moment in time.
• One group of participants representing one section of society are compared with participants from another group
• Example = Young people compared with old people

Question 5

What is the Advantage of Using Cross Sectional Studies?

Answer 5

Quick!

Question 6

What are the Disadvantages of Using Cross Sectional Studies?

Answer 6

• Groups of participants may differ in more ways than the behaviour being researched. Differences between groups may be due to participant variables rather than the independent variable.
• Example = IQs of 20s v. 80s. If 80s lower may be due to poorer diet when they were younger. This is a cohort effect