Layer 5 of the Onion
There are only two time horizon choices. These are cross–sectional, which is a short-term
study, and longitudinal which is research carried out over a longer period of time.
Please click on the terms for more information
Cross-sectional
What is it?
Cross-sectional designs can use qualitative and quantitative research and they measure an
aspect or behaviour of many groups or individuals and at a single point in time.
Links
Sage Encylopedia about Cross-sectional time horizons
http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/encyclopedia-of-survey-research-methods/n120.xml
Web page information about Cross-sectional time horizons
http://psychology.about.com/od/cindex/g/cross-sectional.htm
Longitudinal
What is it?
Longitudinal designs can also use qualitative and quantitative research but they study events
and behaviours using concentrated samples over a longer period.
Links
Web page information about longitudinal time horizons
http://psychology.about.com/od/lindex/g/longitudinal.htm
Sage Encylopedia about longitudinal time horizons
http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/the-sage-encyclopedia-of-social-science-research￾methods/n516.xml