Difference between cross sectional and longitudinal research design

Cross-sectional Research Design Longitudinal Research Design

 One specific point of time  Repeated Over the period of time

 Longer on time period

 Shorter on Time period  No division

 Divide groups on demographic factors

(age , genetic etc..)

 Can’t establish cause and effect  Can justify cause and effect

relationship relationship

 Give information about the current  Give information about what’s

status/that what’s happening at present happening at certain time period

 Descriptive Research  Causal or relational research

 Data is collected from different samples  Data is collected form same sample

 Different groups and participants.  Same group and participants

 Allow researcher to compare different

variables at single point in time  Only one variable is considered to

conduct study over a period of time

 Cheaper and cost effective

 Expensive