The difference between cross-sectional research design and longitudinal research designs is that:
A) Longitudinal studies assess change in behavior over time,whereas cross-sectional studies assess differences among groups of people.
B) Cross-sectional studies are more time consuming as compared to longitudinal studies.
C) Longitudinal research design does not allow the comparison of more than two participants while cross-sectional design allows for more comparisons.
D) Cross-sectional research is a combination of longitudinal research and sequential research.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The key difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal research designs is that cross-sectional studies assess differences among different groups of people at a single point in time, while longitudinal studies track changes in behavior or outcomes over time among a single group of participants. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect, as longitudinal studies are typically more time-consuming than cross-sectional studies, as they require multiple assessments over time. Option C is also incorrect, as both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies can involve comparisons among multiple participants or groups. Option D is incorrect, as there is no such thing as a "combination" of longitudinal and sequential research designs - these are two distinct types of research designs with different purposes and methods.

The Difference Between Cross-Sectional Research Design and Longitudinal Research Designs