1.3.4

Longitudinal Studies

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Longitudinal Studies

A longitudinal study is a form of on-going survey.

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Longitudinal studies

  • A longitudinal study is a form of on-going survey.
  • The researcher selects a sample and then collects data at regular intervals, often over a period of years.
  • Longitudinal studies can show change over time, such as the 10-year census.
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Strengths of longitudinal studies

  • They avoid ethical problems, as participation requires informed consent and the agreement of those selected.
  • By comparing earlier and later data from the same sample, it is possible to discover patterns, trends and the causes of change over time.
  • The data is seen as more valid, as discrepancies can be checked against previous data.
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Weaknesses of longitudinal studies

  • It’s difficult to obtain funding for longitudinal studies, as many funding agencies are reluctant to make a long-term financial commitment.
  • Samples are difficult to obtain because of the commitment required by the participants; participants may also withdraw at any point during the study, reducing the sample size.
  • Because people know that they are being studied, research is likely to fall victim to the Hawthorne effect.

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1Theory & Methods

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3Option 1: Culture & Identity

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