Final answer:
Longitudinal design is a research strategy that studies the same group of individuals over an extended period, offering insight into development and change but requiring significant time and financial resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Longitudinal Design in Research
Longitudinal design is a research strategy where the same group of individuals is observed and measured repeatedly over a long period of time. For instance, researchers might examine a group's health behaviors at different stages of their lives, such as at ages 20, 30, and 40. This approach provides insights into how individuals change and develop over time.
Advantages
- Allows for the observation of developmental trends and long-term changes.
- Can establish the temporal sequence of events and their outcomes.
Limitations
- Requires a significant investment of time and financial resources.
- Subject to issues like participant dropout, which can impact the validity of findings.