Longitudinal studies
Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal studies (pronunciation: /lɒndʒɪˈtjuːdɪnəl ˈstʌdɪz/) are a type of research design used in various fields such as psychology, sociology, medicine, and epidemiology. These studies involve repeated observations of the same variables over long periods of time, often many decades.
Etymology
The term "longitudinal" is derived from the Latin word "longitudo", meaning length. In this context, it refers to the length of time over which the study is conducted.
Definition
Longitudinal studies are designed to allow researchers to track changes over time, which can provide valuable insights into the effects of age, development, and exposure to various factors. This type of study is often used to study chronic diseases, developmental stages, and the impact of life events.
Types of Longitudinal Studies
There are several types of longitudinal studies, including:
- Cohort studies: These studies follow a group of people who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined period.
- Panel studies: These studies collect data on the same individuals, or panel, at multiple time points.
- Prospective studies: These studies follow individuals over time to observe the effects of certain variables or interventions.
- Retrospective studies: These studies look back in time to examine past events or conditions.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Longitudinal studies offer several advantages, such as the ability to study changes over time and the potential to identify causal relationships. However, they also have disadvantages, including the potential for attrition bias due to participant dropout, and the time and cost involved in conducting these studies.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Longitudinal studies
- Wikipedia's article - Longitudinal studies
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