Cross sectional appropriateness over longitudinal
• P: cross-sectional studies may be more appropriate than longitudinal studies in psychological research due to efficiency and practicality
• E: unlike longitudinal studies, which take many years to complete, cross-sectional designs collect data at one point in time, making them quicker and more cost-effective. For example, a researcher studying age-related differences in memory can gather data from both young and older adults within a few months rather than tracking the same individuals for decades
• E: this is especially useful when funding or time is limited. Additionally, cross-sectional studies avoid issues like participant attrition, which can bias results in long-term research if certain types of participants drop out. However, cross-sectional studies can be affected by participant variables and cohort effects, as different age groups may differ in more than just age
