Question

Dr. Huynh is conducting a study of children's racial/ethnic identity development. She recruits 100 six-year-olds to participate in her study. She interviews them, asking questions to assess their beliefs about the group(s) they belong (e.g., Black, White, Latin-x, etc). Every year thereafter, until the children are 10, she interviews them again.

Dr. Huynh utilized a cross-sectional study

A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Dr. Huynh's study is a longitudinal study, not a cross-sectional study, since it involves tracking the development of racial/ethnic identity in the same group of children over several years. This approach provides valuable insights into how children's identities evolve as they grow older.

Step-by-step explanation:

B) False. The study conducted by Dr. Huynh is not a cross-sectional study, but a longitudinal study because it involves collecting data from the same participants repeatedly over a period of time. In her research, Dr. Huynh interviews the same group of children annually from the age of six until they are ten to assess their racial/ethnic identity development. This methodology allows her to track changes and developments in the children's identities as they grow older.

Understanding racial/ethnic identity development is essential, especially in the context of educational settings. Engaging with cultural identity can significantly impact a child's self-concept and perception of their in-group, as noted by researchers like Neblett et al. (2009) and Lukose (2007). Given the diverse makeup of students, including those from immigrant backgrounds, and the differing degrees of racial socialization they receive from their families, studies like Dr. Huynh's offer important insights into how children form their identities over time.