Time studies

Explanations > Social Research > Design > Time studies

There are two types of study which take time into account.

Longitudinal study

A longitudinal study takes place over a period of time, repeatedly examining the same population or situation to determine how it changes over time.

Repeated measures

A repeated measures study typically makes relatively few sets of measurement. This may give reason for a relatively complex or expensive measurement that would be more problematic if repeated more often.

Repeated measures may be analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA.

Time series

A time series study makes many measures over time, possibly in separate surveys. Due to the overall quantity of measurement it is usually easier to keep measures simple in a time series, otherwise it can become difficult to undertake.

A trend study selects different samples over time and seeks differences to identify overall population shifts.

A panel study selects a single group and gets them to comment about something at different points in time, often done as a discussion.

A cohort study selects different samples from the same age group and studies their maturation over time.

An approximate longitudinal study compares people of different ages at a single point in time, for example understanding generational differences.

Cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study takes place at a single point in time, typically sampling a population. The study may be complex, time-bound or both.

If this study proves interesting, it may be done again later, extending it into a repeated-measures longitudinal study.