Which among the following research designs are likely to suffer from the…
2024
Which among the following research designs are likely to suffer from the problem of sample attrition?
A. Cross-sectional studies
B. Longitudinal studies
C. Panel studies
D. Cohort studies
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: D. B, C and D only — ConceptSample attrition is the loss of participants from a study after they enter the sample. It becomes a design threat when the same participants or a…
- A.
A and B only
- B.
A, B and D only
- C.
A, C and D only
- D.
B, C and D only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Sample attrition is the loss of participants from a study after they enter the sample. It becomes a design threat when the same participants or a defined group must be observed again over time.
A one-time cross-sectional study has no later wave from which participants can drop out; repeated-wave and follow-up designs can lose members between observations.
Application
Cross-sectional studies usually measure a sample at one point in time, so follow-up attrition is not their defining problem.
Longitudinal studies observe units repeatedly across time, so participants may leave before later waves.
Panel studies repeatedly survey the same panel members, so panel loss is a direct form of attrition.
Cohort studies follow a defined cohort over time, so loss to follow-up can reduce the observed cohort.
Contrast and cross-check
“A and B only” includes the one-time cross-sectional design and omits panel and cohort follow-up.
“A, B and D only” includes the one-time cross-sectional design and omits panel follow-up.
“A, C and D only” includes the one-time cross-sectional design and omits the broader longitudinal category.
Therefore the designs likely to suffer sample attrition are longitudinal, panel, and cohort studies: “B, C and D only”.