Longitudinal studies (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: 7192
Longitudinal studies
Longitudinal studies follow the same group of people over an extended period of time, often months or years
They involve repeated observations or measurements of the same variables to identify changes and trends in behaviour, attitudes, or development
These studies are particularly useful in areas such as education, where long-term impacts (e.g. of class or ethnicity on achievement) can be observed
Longitudinal studies are usually associated with quantitative data, but qualitative longitudinal research is also possible
Examples
The 1958 National Child Development Study followed more than 17,000 children born in one week in 1958
The Millennium Cohort Study and The British Cohort Study (1970) are other well-known longitudinal studies
Evaluation of longitudinal studies
Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
High validity – studying the same participants over time allows for a more detailed, in-depth understanding of social change. | Sample attrition – participants may drop out over time due to moving away, loss of interest, or death. |
Tracks long-term changes – useful for examining the development of behaviours, attitudes, or life outcomes. | Time-consuming and expensive – studies take years to complete and require sustained funding and researcher commitment. |
Flexible hypotheses – researchers can alter or add new questions as the study progresses. | Changing research focus – over time, researchers may shift their focus, which can reduce the comparability of data. |
Establishes patterns – data can be used to identify trends and possible causes of change over time. | Researcher-participant relationship – close contact may lead to bias or over-identification with participants. |
Rich data – allows for both qualitative and quantitative data collection, giving a fuller picture of social life. | Unrepresentative sample – if many participants leave, the remaining group may no longer reflect the wider population. |
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