Last Updated on April 6, 2023 by Tabraiz
Introduction
Cross-sequential study – a short-term approach to studying the long-term changes. It is a relatively new technique being practised in the field of psychology and sociology. Cross-sequential is basically a combination of both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. You observe someone over a defined period of time and then report your analysis in the form of a document. Many researchers confuse it with longitudinal research design because both involve observing the research participants for a longer period of time. However, both are different when you look at their true meanings. What is that difference? Today’s article is all about explaining this difference and explaining how to do this study effectively. But before that, let’s define cross-sequential study.
What is a cross-sequential research study? Explain with importance.
It is a study in which two or more groups of different characteristics are directly observed and compared over a period of time. In its simplest definition, this research study is a combination of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. Let’s explain this combination with an example. For example, in a cross-sectional sociology study, you will study the groups of research participants over a shorter period of time. The longitudinal study aims to study the same group over a longer period of time. However, the cross-sequential study will study different groups over a longer period of time and gives its conclusion.
This research design is important to use because it covers the limitations of the longitudinal design. The first limitation that it covers is the amount of time that a longitudinal study takes. This design studies different groups over a shorter period of time than a longitudinal study, giving the same results. Therefore, hiring a dissertation writing service becomes important to get it done perfectly.
7 effective ways to conduct a cross-sequential study
From the discussion above, you know what a cross-sequential study is and also know how it combines both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. Conducting this study is pretty much similar to conducting the other two types. However, the difference is absolutely there. So, a brief description of the 7 effective ways is as follows:
1. Develop a strong study plan
Before conducting research on anything, developing a plan is the first thing to do. Without a plan, you can neither collect the right type of data nor observe the research participants effectively. So, firstly, develop a comprehensive study plan which is a picture of your research aims. Why is it necessary? It is necessary because such kinds of studies take years and years to complete. You cannot risk going to research the topic without a plan. Also, a comprehensive plan does not allow you to get off track.
2. Develop a concrete theoretical framework
A theoretical framework is a structure that can hold or support the theory of the research. It introduces the theory on which your whole research is based. So, the second step is all about developing a concrete theoretical framework to support your research questions. It is necessary to have such a framework as it specifies which key variables can influence your cross-sequential study. It also explains how the variables can differ under certain circumstances.
3. Determine the sample size and develop a recruitment plan
The 3rd step is about determining the sample size of your study. In a cross-sequential research study, you observe different groups with different characteristics, so it is better to have an estimate of the sample size. Also, you must develop a recruitment plan for the research participants. It includes defining the characteristics required of the research participants. Obviously, you cannot observe the whole study. So, determining the sample size and developing a recruitment plan is a must.
4. Build a collaborative team and set a long-term plan
You, as a researcher, cannot study all the groups at a time. So, you need to have a team, in fact, a collaborative team that can help you in conducting the cross-sequential study and observing the participants. So, build that team and set a long-term plan for data collection. For example, you have three groups to investigate. To conduct the study effectively, you need to have three different teams that can observe the samples.
5. Develop data collection procedures and train the teams
The 5th step is the most important step. In this step, you develop the data collection procedures. It means you define what type of data the teams have to collect and what types of reading they can neglect during the study. Communicating the basic assumptions is also a part of data collection procedures. Additionally, you should train the teams before sending them to the field. Train them on the procedures you have developed before.
6. Commence the data collection process
After doing all the steps mentioned above, the next step is to commence the data collection. Send the developed teams to the field and ask them to collect the data. Ensure that the teams follow the strict procedures defined in the step above for data collection. The reason is that a single mistake at this stage can cost you heavily in the analysis section. Therefore, supervise the data collection process and ensure the data for the cross-sequential study is error-free.
7. Make a team for data scoring and analysing
The last step in conducting an effective cross-sequential study is making the team for data scoring and analysing. Once you have collected the data, it is important to score the data and separate one group from the other. After doing this, run the analysis on the data to extract valuable information about the sample of your research study. The choice of analysis methods totally depends on you. You may use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed analysis methods based on the data collected.
Conclusion
Conclusively, a cross-sequential study is a combination of longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs. It differs from these two in data collection procedures as it involves different groups with different characteristics. I have explained the 7 steps required to do this study effectively above. So, build a collaborative team by reading the steps mentioned above, and rock your research study.
Apart from this, if you want to know about Preparing for Government Exams Using the ‘Pomodoro’ Technique then please visit our Education category