Questions and Answers
What are longitudinal studies?
Longitudinal studies are those that follow one set of participants over time, using research methods such as experiment, survey or observation.
What is one strength of longitudinal studies?
Longitudinal studies are useful for looking at developmental trends.
What is a second strength of longitudinal studies?
They use the same participants, which means that participant variables will not give bias in the results.
What is one weakness of longitudinal studies?
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What is a second weakness of longitudinal studies?
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Study Notes
Longitudinal Study Overview
- Longitudinal studies track the same participants over an extended period, utilizing various research methods like experiments, surveys, or observations.
- Data is collected repeatedly over time, allowing for comparisons and analysis of trends within the same group.
- Duration of studies can range from months to years.
Strengths of Longitudinal Studies
- Effectively identify developmental trends and how individuals contribute to specific characteristics.
- Use of the same participants minimizes bias from individual differences, improving the integrity of results.
Weaknesses of Longitudinal Studies
- Participant attrition can occur, leading to potential biases if certain demographics are systematically excluded (e.g., individuals who move frequently or are less sociable).
- Changes in the research team over time, such as funding loss or personnel changes, can impact the study's continuity and data collection process.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of longitudinal studies, which track participants over time to analyze developmental trends. This quiz addresses both the strengths, like minimizing bias, and weaknesses, such as participant attrition. Test your understanding of key concepts in longitudinal research methods.