Cross Sectional Studies

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Collects data from different groups of people at one single point in time. The groups differ may be by age, diagnosis , treatment stage etc

Question 2

Purpose

Answer 2

Used to compare different groups to identify differences or similarities between mental health conditions, behaviours or biological factors

Question 3

Snapshot

Answer 3

They provide a snapshot of a disorder by comparing individuals with the disorder to a control group without

Question 4

Variables measured

Answer 4

They can measure symptom severity, cognitive function, brain activity or lifestyle factors measure in a large group

Question 5

Example in clinical

Answer 5

Looking at dopamine levels in those with sz and those without to look at the biological basis

Question 6

Strength - quick

Answer 6

Data collected at one point in time making the method faster and cheaper

Question 7

Strength- useful

Answer 7

To identify correlations and associations between variables and inform future research

Question 8

Weakness- cause and effect

Answer 8

No cause and effect as impossible to determine what came first as data collected all at one time

Question 9

Weakness- extraneous variables

Answer 9

As looking at differences between groups the differences may be due to external factors not the variable been studied