What are advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal studies?

Answer 1

Advantages:

• Developments can be studied over time.
• By studying the same group the researcher can be sure that any changes in attitudes and behaviour are not simply due to changes in the make up of the sample.
• By making comparisons between groups over time, a cause can be identified.

Disadvantages:

• Demographic changes in the research population may mean that the original sample is no longer representative.
• The Hawthorne effect may occur, those in the sample may act differently as a result of the prolonged attention they receive through being in the study.
• They can be very costly and time consuming due to the long period of the study happening.

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