Descriptive Research: Longitudinal, Transversal, and Correlational Studies

Posted on Jan 24, 2025 in Psychology and Sociology

Descriptive Research Objectives

Descriptive research aims to discover and interpret what is. It is used to explore, providing facts, data, and information, paving the way for new theories and research. It analyzes individuals, groups, institutions, materials, etc., to describe, compare, classify, analyze, and interpret.

Longitudinal Studies

Also known as follow-up studies (UK) or panel studies (USA), longitudinal studies are used to describe something over a period of time. They are often used in studies related to human growth, such as Children and Learning.

  • Subject/Group: Observe, note B, C.

Transversal Studies

Transversal studies analyze different groups at different times. They provide a snapshot of a population at a given moment and serve both retrospective and prospective investigations. For example, they are used in developmental psychology studies.

  • Group: Group A, Group B, Group C.

Correlational Methods

This type of study includes all research using correlational techniques. Although its character is descriptive, most of these studies are classified under one heading.

Types of Correlational Studies

  • Correlation studies
  • Association studies
  • Predictive studies
  • Factorial studies
  • Causal studies

Nature of the Correlation

This includes the concept of correlation and causation, as well as types of relationships:

  • Direct
  • Indirect
  • Spurious
  • Joint
  • Reciprocal
  • Covariance
  • Coefficient interpretation

Correlational Research Process

  1. The Problem: Identifying the problem.
  2. Hypothesis: Identifying the relationship between variables.
  3. Choice of Subjects: Ensuring all variables are represented with variety and breadth.
  4. Collecting the Data: Using instruments to measure variables under study, collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
  5. Data Analysis: Dependent on the assumptions and data type.

The Questionnaire

The questionnaire is widely used, easy to apply, and economical. Its purpose is to obtain systematic and orderly information on variables of interest to the researcher. The information may refer to what people are, do, think, feel, want, like/dislike, approve/disapprove of, their motivations, attitudes, interests, etc.

Advantages of Questionnaires:

  • Economical
  • Simultaneous application
  • Uniformity in responses
  • Anonymity
  • Access to a large amount of information

Types of Questionnaires

  • Descriptive: Establishes the distribution of a given reality in a population. The emphasis is often placed on one or more dependent variables and their distribution in the sample by strata. Example: The opinion of university students on new qualifications by sex, grade, school, etc.
  • Explanatory: Aims to determine the reason(s) why a particular phenomenon occurs. Example: Investigating the causes of absenteeism in university classrooms.

Types of Questions

Questions are the expression in the form of questioning of the empirical variables or indicators for which information is sought. These include:

  • According to the answer:
    • Open
    • Closed (which can be further divided into alternatives like yes/no)