Chapter 6: Descriptive research design, mixed methods and meta-analysis Chapter 7: Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies Discussion Question – Week Five Based on your course reading assignments and your pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting, and please explain why? Please see grading rubric: attachment file Purchase the answer to view it
Based on the course reading assignments and my pending research problem, I believe that I am conducting a longitudinal study. A longitudinal study is a research design that involves the collection of data from the same subjects over a period of time, with the aim of examining changes or patterns of behavior and the factors that drive these changes.
One of the main reasons why I believe my study falls under the longitudinal design is the nature of my research problem. I am interested in investigating the effects of a specific intervention on student performance in a particular subject area over time. By collecting data from the same group of students at multiple time points, I will be able to track changes in performance and determine whether the intervention has a lasting impact.
Furthermore, a longitudinal design allows for the exploration of the temporal sequence of events. In my research, I am interested in understanding the cause-effect relationship between the intervention and student performance. By collecting data over time, I will be able to examine whether changes in performance are preceded by the implementation of the intervention, providing insights into the causal mechanisms at play.
Another aspect that aligns with a longitudinal design is the need to account for individual differences and development. In my study, I expect that student performance will vary across individuals and that development may also influence the effectiveness of the intervention. By collecting data from the same individuals over time, I can observe how different students respond to the intervention and examine whether the effects vary depending on factors such as prior knowledge or age.
Moreover, a longitudinal design allows for the exploration of patterns or trajectories of change. In my research, I am not only interested in whether the intervention has an immediate effect on performance but also in understanding the long-term implications. By collecting data at multiple time points, I will be able to analyze the trajectories of change in student performance and identify any patterns that may emerge.
In addition to the aforementioned reasons, a longitudinal design provides the opportunity to study the influence of potential confounding variables. In my study, I am aware that there may be other factors, such as motivation or socioeconomic status, that can influence student performance. By collecting data over time, I can control for these variables and examine whether the observed changes are truly due to the intervention or are confounded by other factors.
To summarize, based on the course reading assignments and my pending research problem, I believe that I am conducting a longitudinal study. This design aligns with my research objective of examining the effects of an intervention on student performance over time, allows for the exploration of the temporal sequence of events, accounts for individual differences and development, explores patterns of change, and provides the opportunity to study potential confounding variables. By utilizing a longitudinal design, I will be able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the intervention on student performance and identify any factors that may influence this relationship.
(Note: The first 800 words could potentially be completed in a shorter amount based on the specific assignment requirements. This response is an example and may need to be adjusted to fit the word limit.)