Conducting High Quality Longitudinal Studies of College Students: Considerations for Design, Analysis, and Interpretation

This guide informs the construction and execution of studies exploring college student development over time. This guide informs the construction and execution of studies exploring college student development over time. Longitudinal studies represent a gold standard for understanding college student experiences and outcomes, yet many scholars partake in single-time surveys and interviews to avoid the challenges that occur during prolonged investigation. This book walks researchers through each step of the process, including strategies for avoiding mistakes in design, coping with unexpected variables, and learning lessons from real-world research experiences. This volume is a useful companion for educational researchers considering, planning, or launching longitudinal designs, and it also functions as a practical supplement for graduate courses focusing on research methods and/or college students.