A study that collects data from different age groups at a single time point to compare outcomes uses which design?

A study that collects data from different age groups at a single time point to compare outcomes uses which design?

• A. Cross-sectional design
• B. Longitudinal design
• C. Experimental design
• D. Case study

Answer: (A)

Cross-sectional design involves collecting data from different age groups at a single point in time to compare outcomes. This approach gives a snapshot of how variables differ across ages without following the same individuals over time. It’s different from longitudinal design, which tracks the same people across multiple time points to observe changes, and from experimental design, where the researcher manipulates a variable and uses random assignment to establish cause-and-effect relationships. A case study, meanwhile, looks in depth at one person or a small group. Because this study gathers data from various age groups at one moment to compare outcomes, it matches the cross-sectional approach.

Cross-sectional design involves collecting data from different age groups at a single point in time to compare outcomes. This approach gives a snapshot of how variables differ across ages without following the same individuals over time. It’s different from longitudinal design, which tracks the same people across multiple time points to observe changes, and from experimental design, where the researcher manipulates a variable and uses random assignment to establish cause-and-effect relationships. A case study, meanwhile, looks in depth at one person or a small group.

Because this study gathers data from various age groups at one moment to compare outcomes, it matches the cross-sectional approach.