Hi Ali
A longitudinal study looks at some variable in a particular group of
subjects over an extended period of time (years, normally). Longitudinal
studies are often used in developmental psychology or in assessing risk
factors for diseases.
While often the most desirable method to use, they can be impractical for
several reasons: they are expensive, they take a long time (!), they often
need large numbers of subjects, and it can be hard to keep track of all
your subjects for so long (and some may drop out of your study anyway).
Despite these difficulties, depending on what you are investigating, you
will find successful longitudinal studies in the literature, e.g., on
schizophrenia and congenital hip dysplasia. I seem to remember that
research with Scandinavian populations is particularly successful because
of government records of who lives where.
Hope this is helpful.
Nick
--
Research Assistant
Psychology and Christianity Project
Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge
West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9BS, UK
mailto:[log in to unmask]
phone/fax: +44 1223 763010/763003
Today 4:34pm, Ali Moazzam wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Can any body let me know that what are Longitudinal studies. What are they, why are they done and how are they done.
>
> I'll greatly appreciate your help.
>
> Thanking you all in advance.
>
> Ali Moazzam
>
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