Cross-sectional Research
Cross-sectional research
Real World
A study comparing anxiety levels in 16-year-olds, 30-year-olds, and 60-year-olds at the same moment in 2024 is cross-sectional — but differences found may reflect their different historical experiences (cohort effects) rather than true age-related change.
Exam Focus
Always name 'cohort effects' as a specific limitation; examiners penalise vague answers that only say 'differences may not be due to age'.
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