Reference no: EM133606878

Some reasons a researcher would use a longitudinal design instead of a cross-sectional design would be the type of data one is collecting or what the purpose of the study is. Longitudinal research design follows the same people over a period of time, observing them repeatedly. Cross-sectional research design compares groups of individuals of different ages at approximately the same time, but not the same people. Therefore one advantage of longitudinal is to track the same people over time. Because its the same participants the data can track developmental processes. Another advantage of this type of research is Individual differences: This allows researchers to examine individual differences in change trajectories. They can identify patterns of growth or decline and the factors that affect them. Yet another advantage is Researchers can better infer cause-and-effect relationships because they track changes within the same participants over time. There are also some disadvantages to longitudinal research design. It can be time consuming and costly.

Some advantages of cross-sectional design are cost effectiveness because its a one time thing and no relationships have to be maintained as opposed to longitudinal where you have to maintain contact with cohorts. This can also be viewed as a disadvantage because you can't establish causality.