Which research design is described as collecting data from people at different ages rather than following the same people over time?

Which research design is described as collecting data from people at different ages rather than following the same people over time?

• A. Longitudinal research
• B. Cross-sectional research
• C. Experimental research
• D. Case study research

Answer: (B)

Cross-sectional research compares groups of people at different ages at roughly the same point in time to study how outcomes vary by age. In this design, you collect data from participants who are, for example, 20, 40, and 60 years old in one wave, rather than following the same individuals as they grow older. This lets you see age-related differences quickly and with less time and resource commitment. This approach is different from longitudinal research, which tracks the same people over multiple time points to observe how they change within individuals. It’s also distinct from experimental research, which involves manipulating an independent variable and randomly assigning participants to conditions, and from case study research, which dives deeply into one person or a small group. A key point about cross-sectional studies is that they can be faster and cheaper and are good for comparing age groups, but they can be affected by cohort effects—differences that arise because each age group grew up in a different era.

Cross-sectional research compares groups of people at different ages at roughly the same point in time to study how outcomes vary by age. In this design, you collect data from participants who are, for example, 20, 40, and 60 years old in one wave, rather than following the same individuals as they grow older. This lets you see age-related differences quickly and with less time and resource commitment.

This approach is different from longitudinal research, which tracks the same people over multiple time points to observe how they change within individuals. It’s also distinct from experimental research, which involves manipulating an independent variable and randomly assigning participants to conditions, and from case study research, which dives deeply into one person or a small group.

A key point about cross-sectional studies is that they can be faster and cheaper and are good for comparing age groups, but they can be affected by cohort effects—differences that arise because each age group grew up in a different era.