Difference Between Longitudinal and Cross Sectional Study
Definition: A longitudinal examine is an observational examine that includes time and again analyzing the equal topics to hit upon adjustments which could arise over a time period, even as a move sectional examine is a sort of observational examine that includes amassing statistics from many distinctive people at a selected factor in time.
Time: Longitudinal research have a take an observe variables time and again over a time period, even as move sectional research have a take an observe variables at a selected factor in time.
Sampling: Moreover, longitudinal research look at the equal pattern even as move sectional research look at distinctive samples.
Result: While longitudinal research look at alternate at each organization and person level, move sectional research supply a photograph of the populace at a selected factor in time.
Time and Cost: In addition, longitudinal research have a tendency to be pricey and time-ingesting even as move sectional research aren't pricey and do now no longer take plenty of time.
Cause-and-Effect Relationships: Longitudinal research can examine cause-and-impact dating among variables even as move sectional research cannot.
Conclusion: The most important distinction among longitudinal and move sectional examine is that longitudinal research have a take an observe variables time and again over a time period, even as move sectional research have a take an observe variables at a selected factor in time.
Other major differences
Although move-sectional examine and longitudinal examine are each observational research, there are more than one variation of their scope, methods, benefits and limitations. Here is the listing of 21 important variations among move-sectional examine and longitudinal examine. They are:
S.N. | Cross-sectional study | Longitudinal study |
1 | Cross-sectional studies are carried out in one specific point of time | Longitudinal studies are carried out over the period of time |
2 | It provides a snapshot of the situation | It provides a long-term analysis of the situation |
3 | Only the present situation is seen | Evolutionary characters are seen. |
4 | There will be no interventions | There may be interventions while conducting this study |
5 | In this study, participants are needed only once for the study purpose | In this study, participants are engaged throughout the study |
6 | Data is collected from different samples at one specific point of time | Data is collected from the same sample over the period of time |
7 | Individuals are studied/analyzed at one point of time | The cohort is followed up over the period of time |
8 | It is known as descriptive research | It is known as causal or relational research |
9 | The advantage of this design is that it allows researchers to compare | Here, only one variable is considered to conduct the study over a period of time. |
| different variables (age, sex, gender, income etc.) at single point in time |
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10 | It can provide information about the current status/what is happening at present | It can provide information about what is happening in a certain period of time |
11 | It does not provide information and cannot establish cause and effect relationships | It can establish and justify cause and effect relationships |
12 | Researchers are not able to detect developments or changes in the characteristics of the target population | Researchers are able to detect developments or changes in the characteristics of the target population at both the group and the individual level |
13 | These studies take relatively shorter time than longitudinal studies | These studies take longer time compared to cross-sectional studies |
14 | Single observation of the subject is done at a specific point of time | Several observations of same subjects are done over a period of time |
15 | It can compare different samples at one given point in time | It measures single group over an extended period of time |
16 | Economically, cross-sectional studies are cheaper and cost effective compared to longitudinal studies | Economically, longitudinal studies are expensive compared to cross-sectional studies |
17 | The results are not considered very strong and confident i.e. the strength of the study is less compared to longitudinal study | The results are stronger and have detailed information i.e. the strength of the study is high compared to cross- sectional study |
18 | Cross-sectional studies may not discover any ‘sleeper effects’ | Longitudinal studies can also help to discover ‘sleeper effects’ or connection between different events over a period of time. |
19 | Findings from cross-sectional studies aren’t enough to make conclusive observations about any association/significance between variables | Findings from longitudinal studies could be used to make conclusive results or associations between variables |
20 | Less challenging in enrolling and requires no follow up of participants | Disadvantage- challenging to enroll and follow up participants over the period of time |
21 | No scope for loss to follow up of participants | May also result in loss to follow up of participants |