In a cross-sectional study, a researcher finds that people in their fifties and sixties are happier than are college students. Which is the BEST conclusion from this study?
A) As people get older, they get happier.
B) Older people are happier because they grew up in more intact families.
C) Everyone gets happier as they age.
D) Today's older people are happier than college students.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study compares two distinct groups at a single point in time, showing that today's older people are happier than today's college students. It does not track changes over time or investigate the reasons for happiness, so it cannot support conclusions about trends over a lifetime or the causes of happiness.

In a Cross-Sectional Study, a Researcher Finds That People in Their