research methods: cross sectional

Question 1

why is cross sectional research used?

Answer 1

takes a snapshot of behaviour instead of waiting for longitudinal data to be gathered using a large sample

Question 2

what is meant by cross sectional research

Answer 2

• a measure of ppts at one time rather than over time
• samples include diff ages / characteristics
• often compares individuals with clinical condition to healthy

Question 3

what is a cohort?

Answer 3

the group of people being studied

Question 4

what are cohort effects?

Answer 4

• factors relating to the cohort
• which make them differ in some way
• so they are not entirely comparable to a similar group at a different time
• cannot be controlled so could become a confounding variable

Question 5

give 3 examples of classic cohort effects

Answer 5

• children who have lived through a world war
• children subjected to educational initiatives which have gone out of fashion
• economic recession

Question 6

why are cohort effects problems for cross sectional studies?

Answer 6

each group may have lived through differing social & economic circumstances so differences in behaviour cannot be due to different ages/experiences

Question 7

describe 3 strengths of cross sectional studies

Answer 7

• practical = time & cost efficient
• valid = only studied once so less chance of demand characteristics
• ethical = only studied once so less intrusive

Question 8

describe 4 weaknesses of cross sectional studies

Answer 8

• low validity = cohort bias
• low validity = ppt variables
• low validity = EVs mean cause and effect hard to establish
• may not have applications beyond that snapshot in time