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Which of the following statements highlights the difference between a longitudinal study design and a cross-sectional study design?

A. The measure of association used in longitudinal studies includes cumulative incidence and incidence rates, whereas the measure of association used in cross-sectional studies is the prevalence rate.

B. Repeated cross-sectional studies collect data from the same people over time, whereas longitudinal studies follow a different group of people over time.

C. Cross-sectional studies measure exposure and outcomes at different times, whereas longitudinal studies measure these at the same time point.

D. Single cross-sectional studies can establish cause-and-effect relationships, whereas longitudinal studies cannot.

Answer :

Final answer:

The main difference between a longitudinal study design and a cross-sectional study design is that a longitudinal study involves collecting data from the same group of individuals over an extended period of time to observe changes and trends, while a cross-sectional study involves collecting data from different individuals at a single point in time to examine the prevalence of a phenomenon or behavior.

Explanation:

A longitudinal study design involves collecting data from the same group of individuals over an extended period of time to observe changes and trends. This design allows researchers to study the development of a phenomenon or behavior over time. On the other hand, a cross-sectional study design involves collecting data from different individuals at a single point in time to examine the prevalence of a phenomenon or behavior. This design provides a snapshot of the population at a specific time and allows researchers to compare different groups or variables.

The main difference between the two designs lies in the temporal aspect of data collection and the focus on change over time versus a single time point. In a longitudinal study, researchers follow the same group of individuals over time, collecting data at multiple time points. This allows them to observe how the phenomenon or behavior changes or develops over the course of the study. In contrast, a cross-sectional study collects data from different individuals at a single time point, providing a snapshot of the population at that specific moment.

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