longitudinal design

the study of a variable or group of variables in the same cases or participants over a period of time, sometimes several years. An example of a longitudinal design is a multiyear comparative study of the same children in an urban and a suburban school to record their cognitive development in depth. A longitudinal study that evaluates a group of randomly chosen individuals is referred to as a panel study, whereas a longitudinal study that evaluates a group of individuals possessing some common characteristic (usually age) is referred to as a cohort study. Also called longitudinal research; longitudinal study. Compare cross-sectional design.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

generalized seizure

a seizure in which abnormal electrical activity involves the entire brain rather than a specific focal area. The two most common forms are absence seizures and some tonic–clonic seizures.