Longitudinal Studies

Question 1

longitudinal studies

Answer 1

data from a sample collected by repeated surveys at regular intervals over period of years

Question 2

longitudinal studies - use of longitudinal studies

Answer 2

• able to compare/study change over time and causes

- provides valid data

Question 3

longitudinal studies - problems

Answer 3

• selecting sample that will last whole research project is difficult (die, move) reducing representativeness of sample
• hawthorne effect: may change their behaviour reducing validity
• most funding agencies won’t take commitment over long period of time (funding issues)

Question 4

case studies

Answer 4

intensive study on single example that researcher is investigating using any research method

Question 5

life histories

Answer 5

case studies that focus on one individual
obtained by in-depth unstructured interviews and personal documents
to understand persons interpretation

Question 6

case studies and life histories - problems

Answer 6

• not representative, cannot be generalisable or create broader conclusion
• unreliable, invalid as life histories is peoples perception of the past (inaccurate)