Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a longitudinal study?

1. Data collected at a single point in time

2. Data collected from multiple groups at the same time

3. Data collected over an extended period

4. Data collected through surveys

The correct answer is: Data collected over an extended period

A longitudinal study is characterized by the collection of data over an extended period. This approach allows researchers to observe changes and developments in the same individuals or groups over time, providing valuable insights into trends, patterns, and causal relationships that may not be evident in studies with shorter timeframes. By tracking the same subjects, longitudinal studies can help establish connections between early events and later outcomes, making them particularly powerful in fields such as psychology, sociology, and education. Other options describe different study designs. For instance, data collected at a single point in time refers to cross-sectional studies, which gather data from a population at one moment, making it unsuitable for observing changes over time. Collecting data from multiple groups at the same time pertains to comparative studies rather than longitudinal ones, as it does not focus on the same subjects over time. Data collected through surveys can be used in various types of studies, including longitudinal, but on its own does not define the structure or purpose of a longitudinal study.