Which design compares individuals of different ages to study a characteristic?

Which design compares individuals of different ages to study a characteristic?

• A. Cohort design
• B. Longitudinal design
• C. Cross-sectional design
• D. Sequential design

Answer: (C)

The choice of cross-sectional design is appropriate because it involves examining different individuals at various ages simultaneously to understand a particular characteristic or phenomenon at a given point in time. This type of design allows researchers to analyze variations between age groups without requiring extensive time for observation and data collection. In a cross-sectional study, the focus is on capturing a "snapshot" of a population, which can provide insights into developmental changes, differences in behaviors, or varying responses based on age. This method is often utilized in studies related to health, psychology, or education, as it can yield valuable data on how age influences specific characteristics. The other designs serve different purposes. For instance, cohort design typically involves tracking a specific group over time; longitudinal design follows the same individuals repeatedly over a period to observe changes; and sequential design combines elements of both cohort and longitudinal methods, tracking different cohorts over time. Each of these designs has its strengths, but for the purpose of comparing individuals of different ages at one point in time, cross-sectional design is the most effective choice.

The choice of cross-sectional design is appropriate because it involves examining different individuals at various ages simultaneously to understand a particular characteristic or phenomenon at a given point in time. This type of design allows researchers to analyze variations between age groups without requiring extensive time for observation and data collection.

In a cross-sectional study, the focus is on capturing a "snapshot" of a population, which can provide insights into developmental changes, differences in behaviors, or varying responses based on age. This method is often utilized in studies related to health, psychology, or education, as it can yield valuable data on how age influences specific characteristics.

The other designs serve different purposes. For instance, cohort design typically involves tracking a specific group over time; longitudinal design follows the same individuals repeatedly over a period to observe changes; and sequential design combines elements of both cohort and longitudinal methods, tracking different cohorts over time. Each of these designs has its strengths, but for the purpose of comparing individuals of different ages at one point in time, cross-sectional design is the most effective choice.