Research methods - Longitudinal studies

Question 1

Cross-sectional study

Could also be called ‘snapshot studies’

Answer 1

• Compares people/animals at different stages/ages by comparing different groups of ppts at one point in time.
  eg. a study to explore how mindfullness changes with age may compare, 20, 30, and 40 year olds.
• It is difficult to separate changes over time from differences due to the the age groups growing up in different times.
• A solution may be to conduction a longitudinal study

Question 2

A Longitudinal study

Answer 2

• Likely to be a case-study or self-report
• Follows a single group of ppts, or a specific cohort over time (weeks to decades)
• Studies one or more variables over intervals.
• Measures variables over time
• These studies can detect changes in individuals.
• Can also explore the effects of specific experiences, events or interventions on development.

Question 3

A longitudinal design

Answer 3

• An experimental design where the same ppts are tested on 2 or more occasions over a long-period of time.
• eg. before or after a 6 month intervention.
• It’s a form of repeated measures design.
• If it’s an experiment it will be called an experiment with a longitudinal design

Question 4

Stengths of Longitudinal studies

Answer 4

• Allow researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships by observing changes over time.
• Provides a detailed examination of individual development, behaviour, or trends, providing a understanding of the subject.
• Enables the identification of patterns, trends, and developmental processes, offering valuable insights.
• Helps in understanding how specific cohorts are influenced by historical, cultural, or environmental factors.
• Produces a large amount of data on each ppt over time = thorough analysis.
• Findings can have significant real-world application.

Question 5

Weaknesses of Longitudinal studies

Answer 5

*Often require extensive time, resources, and funding due to the duration of data collection + participant follow-ups.
* Ppts may withdraw from study over time, leading to a reduction in sample size & potential bias in results (sample attrition)
* Findings from a specific cohort may not generalise to other populations or time periods, limiting external validity.
* External factors that affect the study may be challenging to control, leading to confounding variables.
* As time progresses, societal norms and technologies change, making it challenging to compare results across different time periods.
* It may take several years before meaningful results are obtained, limiting the immediate applicability of findings.