| Chapter 1 Research methods: Longitudinal research: study same individuals over a period of time. Advantages: can observe development directly. Drawbacks: can take a long time and be expensive, attrition, practice effects. Cross-sectional research: study individuals of different ages at one point in time. Advantages: can be done relatively quickly, no practice effects, no attrition. Drawbacks: cohort effects (people of different ages have had different life experiences) Longitudinal-sequential design: study individuals of different ages over a period of time. Advantages: can compare persons born in different years with one another when they are the same age to assess cohort effects; can compare longitudinal and cross-sectional results. Drawbacks: can take a long time and be expensive, attrition, practice effects. Ethical issues: Protection from harm Informed consent; assent from child Confidentiality; except for child abuse Deception is to be avoided as much as possible |
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