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What is the Difference Between Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies?
Although both cross-sectional and longitudinal research methods are quantitative in nature, there are several differences amongst them. In a cross-sectional study, researchers collect data of a variable at a specific point in time while in a longitudinal study, the data is collected at different times. In longitudinal studies, variables tend to change over time as well.
Researchers use cross-sectional research to find commonalities between different variables. They use longitudinal studies in order to dissect the findings of the cross-sectional study further. Let’s look at the differences between the two in detail:
Longitudinal studies | Cross-sectional studies |
Longitudinal studies take a longer time to be completed, ranging from years to even decades sometimes. | Cross-sectional studies tend to be less time-consuming and quick to administer. |
Here, the researcher observes participants at different periods in times | Here, the researcher conducts the study over a predetermined specific period of time. |
Cause-effect relationship is provided by longitudinal studies. | Cause-effect relationships are not provided by Cross-sectional studies. |
Here, only one variable is observed and studied in detail. | Here, different variables are observed at a single point in time. |
Longitudinal studies are more expensive and thus, not very accessible to companies and researchers. | Cross-sectional studies are cost-effective and thus a popular means of study for companies and researchers. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting longitudinal surveys?
This section covers the advantages and disadvantages of conducting longitudinal studies:
Advantages of longitudinal studies”
- Since longitudinal studies allow researchers to follow the participants or subjects in real time, the data collected is highly valuable, enriching, insightful, and valid. This also gives promising and valid results for the study.
- Longitudinal studies also offer long-term unique and rich data. This is different from cross-sectional studies that only collect short-term data. Longitudinal studies thus permit us to discover long-term relationships between variables.
- Longitudinal studies also help researchers to uncover and analyse trends from the collected data in real time whether it is a medical study, psychological or a sociological study.
- Longitudinal studies allow researchers to observe the variables in the same sample over a period of time. Thus, any changes in the variable can be correctly attributed to the individual.
- Longitudinal study surveys are flexible as well since it is a long-term study.
- Longitudinal studies also eliminate the risk of bias because the researchers are observing and collecting the data in real time.
Disadvantages of longitudinal studies
- The main disadvantage of longitudinal studies is that it is unpredictable. Since researchers plan to study the same number of people over time, the drop out rate of participants can also be high and the previously collected data will be useless.
- Longitudinal studies are time-consuming and costly. It requires a large amount of commitment as well as resources on the part of the researcher.
- Longitudinal studies also take time to uncover relationships between variables. Moreover any unpredictable event in the natural world can lead to changes in the variables instead of individual factors and hamper the study.
- Longitudinal studies require large amounts of samples for the study to yield meaningful patterns and insights.
The advantages show us the enormous value of longitudinal studies have to offer, and the disadvantages tell us how to properly plan and execute longitudinal studies to avoid errors and potential biases.
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