Longitudinal study
Longitudinal Study
A Longitudinal Study (pronunciation: /lɒndʒɪˈtjuːdɪnəl ˈstʌdi/) is a type of research design used in various fields such as psychology, sociology, epidemiology, and medicine.
Etymology
The term 'longitudinal' is derived from the Latin word 'longitudo', meaning length. In this context, it refers to the extended period over which the study is conducted.
Definition
A Longitudinal Study involves repeated observations of the same variables (e.g., people) over short or long periods of time. It is often used to track changes over time and can provide a complete, chronological picture of the subject's experiences.
Types of Longitudinal Studies
There are three main types of Longitudinal Studies:
- Panel Studies: These involve data collection from the same individuals at several time points.
- Cohort Studies: These follow a group of people who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined period.
- Retrospective Studies: These look backwards and examines exposures to suspected risk or protection factors in relation to an outcome that is established at the start of the study.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Longitudinal Studies offer several advantages, such as the ability to study changes over time, establish sequences of events, and study rare phenomena. However, they also have disadvantages, including the potential for attrition, the time and cost involved, and the possibility of changes in the way variables are measured over time.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Longitudinal study
- Wikipedia's article - Longitudinal study
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