a study in which some specific group is studied over time. although data may be collected from different members in each set of observations
ecological fallacy
drawing conclusions about individuals based only on the observation groups
hypothesis
a tentative and testable prediction about how changes in one thing are expected to explain and be accompanied by changes in something else. a statement of something that ought to be observed in real world if a theory is correct
hypothesis testing
the determination of whether the expectations that a hypothesis represents are actually found to exist in the real world
longitudinal study
a study that involves the collection of data at different points in time
panel studies
longitudinal study in which data are collected from the same sample- at several points in time
reductionism
a fault of some researches: a strict limitation of the kinds of concepts to be considered relevant to the phenomenon under study