Final answer:
A grad student studying the class of 2017 over the first decade after graduation would likely use longitudinal research, which tracks a specific group over time and is well-suited for identifying patterns of change and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a grad student wants to follow the class of 2017 across the first decade after their graduation, the most appropriate research design is longitudinal research. This type of research involves following a specific cohort or group of individuals over a set period and collecting data at several points throughout that span. In the case of tracking the class of 2017's post-graduation experiences over the first decade, the student would repeatedly collect data about various aspects of the graduates' lives, such as their career progression, further education, life milestones, and other relevant factors.
Other types of research designs, like cross-sectional research, archival research, or naturalistic observation, are not as well-suited for tracking changes over time within the same group of individuals. Longitudinal research is distinct in its capacity to identify patterns of change and development over time within the same population.