Final Answer:
The drawback that is not associated with longitudinal research studies is D. Limited Generalizability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Longitudinal research studies, which involve observing subjects over an extended period, indeed have some inherent drawbacks. Increased time and cost (A) are common challenges as these studies require sustained resources for data collection and analysis. Attrition of participants (B) refers to the loss of subjects over time, impacting the study's integrity as it may introduce bias.
Practice effects (C) are changes in participant behavior due to repeated exposure to assessments. While this can be a concern, it is not exclusive to longitudinal studies and can occur in various research designs. On the other hand, limited generalizability (D) is not a direct drawback of longitudinal studies. In fact, longitudinal studies often provide in-depth insights into specific populations over time, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing development or change within that particular group.
In essence, while longitudinal studies do come with challenges such as time, cost, and participant attrition, the unique strengths they offer, including the ability to capture changes over time and explore causal relationships, often outweigh these drawbacks. The limited generalizability is not a universal drawback, as these studies can yield rich and context-specific findings that contribute significantly to our understanding of developmental processes and behavioral changes within a targeted population.