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Longitudinal Research

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...

Observational Studies

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Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
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Study Designs in Epidemiology

Study Designs in Epidemiology

Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.

Data Collection by Observations

Data Collection by Observations

Data collection refers to a systematic way of obtaining, observing, measuring, and analyzing accurate information. Observational studies are one of the most widely used methods of data collection. It involves collecting data by observing the behavior and physical characteristics of a sample without making any modifications to the sample.
An astronomer viewing the motion and brightness of stars in the sky and recording the data is an example of observational data collection. A botanist recording...

Study Design in Statistics

Study Design in Statistics

A study design is a set of techniques that allow a researcher to collect and analyze data from different variables defined for a specific research problem. Statistics is commonly for effective study design and more robust experiments,
Does aspirin reduce the risk of heart attacks? Is one brand of fertilizer more effective at growing roses than another? Is fatigue as dangerous to a driver as the influence of alcohol? Questions like these are answered using randomized experiments with proper...

Surveys

Surveys

Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

Setting up a cohort study on functioning: deciding what to measure.

Alarcos Cieza¹, Christine Boldt, Carolina S Ballert

¹Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF), Nottwil, Switzerland.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

|October 7, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study provides a method for selecting what to measure in cohort studies focusing on functioning over time. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) ensures comparable and comprehensive data for spinal cord injury research.

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Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Published on: April 23, 2014

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills

Published on: April 23, 2014

Area of Science:

Rehabilitation Medicine
Epidemiology
Health Services Research

Background:

Understanding long-term functioning in specific populations is crucial for effective healthcare and policy.
Cohort studies require careful selection of measurement domains to ensure data relevance and comparability.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a standardized framework for describing health and functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine essential measurement parameters for cohort studies investigating changes in functioning over time.
To outline a theory-informed process for selecting functioning domains based on the ICF.
To illustrate this methodology using the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study.

Main Methods:

A theory-informed approach was employed to select domains of functioning.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) served as the foundational framework.
The Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study was utilized as a practical case example.

Main Results:

A set of 45 ICF categories was identified as relevant for the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study.
The application of the ICF framework demonstrated a systematic process for domain selection.
The methodology ensures comparability and comprehensiveness in data collection for cohort studies.

Conclusions:

Utilizing the ICF for defining measurement domains in cohort studies enhances data comparability and scope.
This approach improves the understanding and application of study results by health professionals and policymakers.
The ICF-based methodology is a valuable tool for researchers studying functioning in specific populations over time.