Longitudinal Research

Longitudinal research is generally defined as studies that investigate change over time with the same cohort(s). This definition characterizes four key features of longitudinal research. First, by change , it means that longitudinal studies focus on a dynamic process rather than a static status as the outcome variable. A process is a series of changes from the initial status to the final status through various intermediate statuses. In a methodological term, one status is often called one wave . Thus, longitudinal studies use multiple waves to represent a process. Second, by over time , it means that longitudinal studies must include the time dimension as the fundamental predictor. A multiwave process can be considered as a function of time, and various substantive predictors (e.g., gender or IQ scores) can be used to explain the process, as in nonlongitudinal studies. Third, by with the same cohort(s) , it means that longitudinal ...

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