Cross Sectional Research

Presented by;
DIANA FE C. GREGORY MAED-EM
 Cross Sectional Research
• cross-sectional analysis
• transverse study
• prevalence study

Although this research does not involve

conducting experiments, researchers often use it
to understand outcomes in the physical and
social sciences and many business industries.
 Cross Sectional Research
• an observational study that analyzes data from
a population at a single point in time.
• do not follow individuals up over time.
• usually inexpensive and easy to conduct
• useful for establishing preliminary evidence in
planning a future advanced study
Characteristics of Cross-Sectional Studies
• Researchers can conduct cross-sectional studies with the
same set of variables over a set period.

• Similar research may look at the same variable of interest, but

each study observes a new set of subjects.

• The cross-sectional analysis assesses topics during a single

instance with a defined start and stopping point.

• Cross-sectional studies allow the researcher to look at one

independent variable and one or more dependent variables
as the focus of the cross-sectional study.
• “takes the pulse” of population data at any given time.
Cross Sectional Research
• Retail: In retail, this research can be conducted on men and women in a
specific age range to reveal similarities and differences in spending trends
related to gender.

• Education: Cross-sectional studies in school are beneficial in

understanding how students who scored within a particular grade range in
the same preliminary courses perform with a new curriculum.

• Healthcare: Scientists in healthcare may use cross-sectional studies to

understand how children ages 2-12 across the United States are prone to
calcium deficiency.
• Business: In business, researchers can study how people of different
socio-economic statuses from one geographic segment respond to one
change in an offering.

• Psychology: The cross-sectional study definition in psychology is research

that involves different groups of people who do not share the same
variable of interest (like the variable you’re focusing on) but who do share
other relevant variables. These could include age range, gender identity,
socio-economic status, and so on.
• The data collected in cross-sectional studies
involves subjects or participants who are
similar in all variables – except the one that is
under review.
• This variable remains constant throughout the
study.
When is cross sectional study particularly useful

• They are valuable for understanding the

current status of a condition or behavior
within a population, making them great for
initial assessments.
 Types of Cross-Sectional Studies

• Descriptive Research: A cross-sectional study

may be entirely descriptive research.
A cross-sectional descriptive survey assesses
how frequently, widely, or severely the variable
of interest occurs throughout a specific
demographic.
 Types of Cross-Sectional Studies
Analytical Research: A cross-sectional survey
investigates the association between two related or
unrelated parameters.

This research isn’t entirely foolproof, though, because

outside variables and outcomes are simultaneous, and
their studies are, too.

For example; to validate whether coal miners could

develop bronchitis, look only at the variables in a mine.
 Goal of Cross sectional Study
• The primary goal of a cross-sectional study is
to examine and analyze the relationships or
associations between different variables
within a population at a specific point in time.
Main advantage of Cross sectional study
• It’s cost-effective, quick to conduct, and
provides a broad view of a population’s
characteristics or behaviors at a specific time.
 How cross sectional study differ from
longitudinal study?

• Cross-sectional studies capture data at a one-

time point, while longitudinal studies track the
same individuals over an extended period to
observe changes.
 Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal Studies

Criteria Cross-Sectional Study Longitudinal Study

Collect data at multiple time
Data Collection Collect data at one point in time.
points.
Data was analyzed based on within-
Analysis A shorter time is required.
subject changes.
Different individuals at each point in
Participants Same individuals over time.
time.
Time A shorter time is required. Longer time required.
Tracks individual changes over
Strengths Quick and cost-effective.
time.
It may have more bias due to cohort It may have less bias due to
Bias
effects. cohort effects.
Limitations Cannot determine causality Time-consuming and costly
A study tracking changes in
A survey of different age groups’
Example individuals’ attitudes towards
attitudes toward social media.
social media over time.
 Conclusion

• A cross-sectional study provides valuable

insights into a population’s characteristics,
attitudes, and behaviors at a single point in
time. As with any research design, cross-
sectional studies should be used with other
research methods to provide a complete
study. Overall, cross-sectional studies can be a
valuable tool for researchers looking to
understand a population quickly.
 References
Wang, X., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Cross-Sectional
studies. Chest, 158(1), S65–S71.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.012

Fleetwood, D. (2023b, November 7). Cross-Sectional

Study: What it is + Free Examples. QuestionPro.
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/cross-
sectional-study/