In a cross-sectional study you collect data from a population at a specific point in time; in a longitudinal study you repeatedly collect data from the same sample over an extended period of time.

What is the difference between cross-sectional and panel data?

Cross sectional data means that we have data from many units, at one point in time. Time series data means that we have data from one unit, over many points in time. Panel data (or time series cross section) means that we have data from many units, over many points in time.

Is a panel study a cross-sectional study?

Cross-sectional surveys are based on a sample of the population of interest drawn at one time point. In contrast, panel surveys follow the population of interest over an extended time period and are concerned with measuring change over time for the units of analysis within the population.

What is the difference between cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies?

Longitudinal studies differ from one-off, or cross-sectional, studies. The main difference is that cross-sectional studies interview a fresh sample of people each time they are carried out, whereas longitudinal studies follow the same sample of people over time.

What is the difference between a panel study and a longitudinal study?

Longitudinal data refer to repetitive measurements over time. The measurement could be on the same units or otherwise. Panel data are a type of longitudinal data where the observed units are the same. Repeated cross-sections are longitudinal but can hardly be considered panel, at least in econometric modelling.

Why is panel data better than cross-sectional data?

Panel data contains more information, more variability, and more efficiency than pure time series data or cross-sectional data. Panel data can detect and measure statistical effects that pure time series or cross-sectional data can’t.

What is an example of a panel study?

Panel studies follow the same individuals over time and vary considerably in scope and scale. Examples include online opinion panels (which invite members of the public to sign up and then complete regular surveys) and short-term studies whereby people are followed up once or twice after an initial interview.

What is a cross-sectional study used for?

Cross-sectional designs are used for population-based surveys and to assess the prevalence of diseases in clinic-based samples. These studies can usually be conducted relatively faster and are inexpensive. They may be conducted either before planning a cohort study or a baseline in a cohort study.

What are examples of cross sectional studies?

Another example of a cross-sectional study would be a medical study examining the prevalence of cancer amongst a defined population. The researcher can evaluate people of different ages, ethnicities, geographical locations, and social backgrounds.

Is a panel study a cohort study?

Whereas cohort studies aim to explain the effect of age on the life course, panel studies have more generic aims to monitor both change and take a cross-sectional snapshot of the entire population. In fact, a panel study can be thought of as a combination of a series of cohort studies.

How do you know if a study is cross-sectional or cohort?

Cross sectional studies are used primarily to determine the prevalence of a problem whereas cohort studies involve the study of the population that is both exposed and non-exposed to the cause of disease development agents.