Longitudinal research involves the collection and analysis of comparable data at more than one point in time. The exact number of time points and the interval between time points depend on the nature of the investigation. A longitudinal design is desirable for many research investigations because it enables an assessment of change over time. The history of research methods in industrial and organizational psychology shows the increasing importance of longitudinal designs and advances in associated analytical methods.

The defining characteristic of longitudinal research is that it examines how data change over time. Longitudinal research can be both descriptive (i.e., when a researcher seeks to describe how a particular phenomenon changes over time) and explanatory (i.e., when a researcher seeks to explain the cause or outcomes of ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles