Final answer:
Shruthi's research, observing different age groups at one point in time to assess their adjustment to working online and its effect on job performance, is a cross-sectional study.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shruthi is conducting a cross-sectional study, as she is comparing multiple age groups at the same moment in time to see how different age groups are adjusting to working in online environments. This type of research compares different segments of the population simultaneously, rather than following the same individuals over an extended period of time, which would be characteristic of longitudinal research. Cross-sectional studies can provide insights into generational differences, but they may be limited by external factors unique to each cohort that are unrelated to age itself, such as different social and cultural experiences.