Longitudinal Study versus Survey Methods - Term Paper Example

? Longitudinal study vs. Survey methods PART Longitudinal study: A basic definition for longitudinal study refers to an observational study that is conducted upon the same subjects or sample through the gathering of data repeatedly over a period of time. This period of time may extend to even one year or beyond like a decade. The nature of longitudinal studies that involves cohorts entails the use of same test subjects over the period of study. However, this kind of study is most commonly applied in the fields of psychology, medicine, sociology (Huesmann, Moise-Titus, Podolski & Eron, 2003). This kind of a study is special in its nature in that the researcher is not required to interfere with the subjects of the study but, is required to use the same subjects in the conduct of the several phases of the study. Thus, a longitudinal study can establish a sequence of research events during its conduct. This form of study is very beneficial to a researcher in the sense that one is able to detect the changes or developments in the characteristics of the test subjects (sample population) either at the individual levels or at the group level. 1. Hutto, C.J., Yardi, S., & Gilbert. E., (2013). A Longitudinal Study of Follow Predictors on Twitter. CHI , 1-10. 2. Rajulton, F. (2001). The Fundamentals of Longitudinal Research: An Overview. Special Issue on Longitudinal Methodology, Canadian Studies in Population , Vol. 28 (2), 169-185. 3. Diamond, L. M. (2008). Female Bisexuality From Adolescence to Adulthood: Results From a 10-Year Longitudinal Study. Developmental Psychology , Vol. 44 (1), 5-14. 4. Huesmann, L. R., Moise-Titus, J., Podolski, C-L., Eron, L. D., (2003). Longitudinal Relations Between Children’s Exposure to TV Violence and Their Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Young Adulthood: 1977–1992. Developmental Psychology , Vol. 39 (2), 201-221. 5. Farrall, S. (2007). What is Qualitative Longitudinal Research? London School of Economics and Political science: Methodology Institute , 1-25. PART 2 Longitudinal study refers to an observational study that is conducted upon the same subjects or sample through the gathering of data repeatedly over a period of time. This period of time may extend to even one year or beyond like a decade (Saldan?a, 2003). The chart below shows a summary of the benefits and challenges faced by this research method as shall be discussed later in the essay. PART 3 Survey method is a research method that studies individual units that have been sampled from the main population as well as the techniques of the data collection used in the survey such as the construction of the questionnaires. Consequently, a survey research method would look into the accuracy of the survey responses as well as the methods that can be used to improve their number. In most cases, the researcher undertakes the surveys so as to be able to make statistical inferences regarding the population under study (Zikmund, 2013). The chart below shows a summary of the benefits and challenges faced by this research method as shall be discussed later in the essay. PART 4 Longitudinal Research Method Survey Research Method Refers to an observational study that is conducted upon the same subjects or sample through the gathering of data repeatedly over a period of time. This period of time may extend to even one year or beyond like a decade Refers to a research method that studies individual units that have been sampled from the main population as well as the techniques of the data collection used in the survey such as the construction of the questionnaires. Benefits Challenges Benefits Challenges 1. It does allow the researchers to easily identify any changes or developments that may occur in the characteristics of the target or sample population both at the individual and group levels. 1. The observations by definition are not independent. As such the study must always account for the data dependency. 1. It is relatively easy to develop and to administer especially when using advanced survey software. 1. The respondents may not practice honesty and accuracy in the provision of their responses to the questions. 2. It extends over a long period of time such as over one year or a decade, and as such accords the researcher the opportunity to comprehensively determine the sequence of the events as they occur in the study 2. When sophisticated models are involved it does not easily allow for analysis of the data 2. It is very cost effective as the cost usually depends on the mode of survey selected, and it can be administered via remote methods such as mobile devices, online platforms, emails or even telephone. 2. When a question may appear as representing the respondents in a negative manner, they may not be comfortable to provide accurate answers on it. 3. It economizes on the study subjects 3. It is faced by varying covariates of time and can have the results affected by the carry-over effect especially when the repeated factor is a treatment or condition and not time. 3. It has the ability to collect data from a wide and large range of respondents. 3. The use of survey questions that are closed-ended may offer a lower validity rate than if when they were open. 4. It allows for the exclusion of between-subjects variations 4. In terms of computations, the study may be too intensive computationally. 4. Its use which allows for the asking of numerous questions gives extensive flexibility to the analysis of the data. 4. There may be common instances of data errors arising due to the non-response from the questions thus, the likelihood of a bias. 5. Has the ability to suggest cause-and-effect relationship in a study 5. It may hinder the use of software in its analysis of data. 5. Since the method is able to deliver precise results when standardized, it is mostly not affected by several types of errors. 5. The answer options to the questions may lead to unclear data especially if the respondents misinterpret the questions. Applications in a Business Context Applications in a Business Context 1 2 3 1 2 3 Conducting business market researches. Business Analysis Studies on the satisfaction of employees’ needs. Business Analysis/ Researches Conducting markets researches Salesmanship. PART 5 Introduction In the conduct of research, regardless of the type of study it is, a researcher is mostly faced with the main question of the research design to employ in the study. Ideally, the choice of a research method becomes the core of the study as it contributes to the determination of whether the expected study will be experimental or non-experimental (Leon, 2003). There are several designs a researcher can choose from, among them, longitudinal and survey research methods. In this essay, I seek to critically examine the nature of these two research methods and how applicable they are in the conduct of research studies. Through the adoption of a descriptive research form, I seek to outweigh the differences between longitudinal and survey research methods. The essay shall also entail the review of different literatures that have since applied the two methods in examining various components of their studies. A longitudinal study is an observational study that a researcher conducts on a specific same test subjects or sample over a given period of time, usually extensive over a year or a decade. On the other hand, a survey research method seeks to examine the characteristics of individual units in a sample through the use of questionnaires to collect data and then using the same to determine the accuracy of responses obtained (Farrall, 2007). In this essay, I will outline the two research methods on a comparison basis; address their main features; outline their benefits and challenges by comparing one to the other and then providing exemplar of studies that have once applied the same in the field of business. A review of literature In most cases, psychologists have engaged the use of longitudinal research methods when the studies under review entail the determination of the changes in behavior of the test subjects, and how this behavior change and attitude impacts on the subjects over time. For instance, in a study involving employees in a particular career line from different organizations, a longitudinal study would, over time, examine the cause or reason for behavior change among them in respect of promotions, job shifting and provision of better working conditions and terms. In the case of a survey, the researcher may only be interested on a few factors that will mostly be determined by the responses received from the respondents (Hutto,Yardi & Gilbert, 2013). While longitudinal research method entails in-depth interview-based studies where the researcher has to return to the same respondents over duration of time to review any behavior changes, survey methods are in most times one-time based and considers no repeated tests. Even if the survey is conducted again, it may not necessarily engage the same test subjects. Longitudinal research method is mostly concerned with the processes that were associated with the changes in the behavior of the test subjects. An approach on this method is more appropriate when the study entails matters such as career, which are developmental processes. However, currently no clear definition exists of how long the longitudinal studies should last, and according to Farrall (2007), there is little doubt on the same being in the near future. Benefits of using longitudinal research method The main benefit for this form of study is that it does allow the researchers to easily identify any changes or developments that may occur in the characteristics of the target or sample population both at the individual and group levels. Second, this kind of study extends over a long period of time such as over one year or a decade, and as such accords the researcher the opportunity to comprehensively determine the sequence of the events as they occur in the study. Other benefits of this method are that it economizes on the study subjects, allows for the exclusion of between-subjects variations, and has the capability to separate the cohort effects from the aging effects. Finally, when compared to a cross-sectional study, the longitudinal study has the ability to suggest cause-and-effect relationship in a study (Ruspini, 2002). Challenges of using longitudinal research method The major pertinent challenges that face the use of this research method are that: first, the observations by definition are not independent; as such the study must always account for the data dependency. Second, the method when sophisticated models are involved does not easily allow for analysis of the data. Consequently, the method is faced by varying covariates of time and can have the results affected by the carry-over effect especially when the repeated factor is a treatment or condition and not time. In terms of computations, the study may be too intensive computationally and finally, may hinder the use of software in its analysis of data (Rajulton, 2001). Benefits of using survey research method The one major advantage of this research method is that it is relatively easy to develop and to administer especially when using advanced survey software. Its development can be done in fewer time frames. Second, it is very cost effective as the cost usually depends on the mode of survey selected, and it can be administered via remote methods such as mobile devices, online platforms, emails or even telephone. Additionally, this method has the ability to collect data from a wide and large range of respondents. Another benefit is that the use of this method which allows for the asking of numerous questions gives extensive flexibility to the analysis of the data. This aspect of high representativeness brings out a better representation of the collected data in terms of its description. Finally, since surveys are able to deliver precise results when standardized, they are mostly not affected by several types of errors. Challenges of using surveys The first main challenge that might affect surveys is that the respondents may not practice honesty and accuracy in the provision of their responses to the questions. Second, when a question may appear as representing the respondents in a negative manner, they may not be comfortable to provide accurate answers on the same. Consequently, the use of survey questions that are closed-ended may offer a lower validity rate than if when they were open. In survey research methods, there may be common instances of data errors arising due to the non-response from the questions thus, the likelihood of a bias. Finally, the answer options to the questions may lead to unclear data especially if the respondents misinterpret the questions (Diamond, 2008). A note on ethics In every discussion involving a research technique such as the two discussed above, it is very rare for a discussion on them to pass without commenting on the issue of ethics in them. Both research methods do not raise ethical issues that are absent in other research designs but instead heightens them. For instance, in the longitudinal study, the respondent’s and interviewer’s levels of engagement are basically high due to the prolonged contact as opposed to the case of surveys. Consequently, the high level of engagement may lead to a high risk of disclosing matters that may be considered distinctly personal. Thus, the ethical issue of confidentiality is naturally raised in this particular instance (Ward & Henderson, 2003). Another issue would be the re-tracing of respondents in subsequent studies in the case of longitudinal study. In a business context of a study of employees’ characteristics, it would be extremely hard to trace them based on former conditions if supposedly they have switched jobs or companies. Conclusion In concluding, I have been able to show in this essay the comparison that exists between longitudinal research method and survey research method. This has been attained through an analysis of the various benefits and challenges of both methods. Practitioners in business marketing and marketing academics have often applied longitudinal studies in their projects. Consequently, reviewers, editors and authors have also expressed increasing confidence in the use of surveys in verifying data for various materials before their publishing. These concerns on validity are mostly centered on data collection through longitudinal and survey research methods so as to reduce the variance biases but, enhance causal inferences (Bolger & Laurenceau, 2013). In this essay, I have sought to show how the two studies can be effectively applied in addressing the concerns of validity by the business market researchers and marketing academics. Consequently, from the essay, it is likely obvious that longitudinal study is more effective in addressing data validity issues hence, more preferred than surveys. I have concluded by offering the ethical issues that needs to be considered in the application of these methods. References Bolger, N., & Laurenceau, J.-P. (2013). Intensive longitudinal methods: An introduction to diary and experience sampling research. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Diamond, L. M. (2008). Female Bisexuality From Adolescence to Adulthood: Results From a 10-Year Longitudinal Study. Developmental Psychology , Vol. 44 (1), 5-14. Farrall, S. (2007). What is Qualitative Longitudinal Research? London School of Economics and Political science: Methodology Institute , 1-25. Hutto, C.J., Yardi, S., & Gilbert. E., (2013). A Longitudinal Study of Follow Predictors on Twitter. CHI , 1-10. Huesmann, L. R., Moise-Titus, J., Podolski, C-L., Eron, L. D., (2003). Longitudinal Relations Between Children’s Exposure to TV Violence and Their Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Young Adulthood: 1977–1992. Developmental Psychology , Vol. 39 (2), 201-221. Leon, J. J. (2003). Survey research: In-person, mail, telephone and web methods. Honolulu, HI: Streamline Surveys, Inc. Rajulton, F. (2001). The Fundamentals of Longitudinal Research: An Overview. Special Issue on Longitudinal Methodology, Canadian Studies in Population , Vol. 28 (2), 169-185. Ruspini, E. (2002). Introduction to longitudinal research. London: Routledge. Saldan?a, J. (2003). Longitudinal qualitative research: Analyzing change through time. Walnut Creek, Calif: AltaMira Press. Ward, J. & Henderson, Z. (2003) Some Practical and Ethical Issues Encountered Whilst Conducting Tracking Research with Young People Leaving the ‘Care’ System. International Journal of Social Research Methods, Vol. 6 (No, 3), 255-59 Zikmund, W. G. (2013). Business research methods. Mason, OH: South-Western. Read More