Session 5 Cross-sectional & Longitudinal 
    Approaches 
    Health	
  Systems	
  Research	
  Course	
  
    Western	
  China	
  School	
  of	
  Public	
  Health	
  	
  
    7-­‐11	
  December	
  2015	
  
   Four key steps in HSR 
   1.  IdenBfy	
  research	
  focus	
  (problem/
     concern/	
  opportunity)	
  and	
  quesBon	
  
   2.  Design	
  study	
  	
  
   3.  Ensure	
  quality	
  and	
  rigour	
  
   4.  Apply	
  ethical	
  principles	
  	
  
               Cross-sectional design 
               •    Most	
  frequently	
  used	
  HPSR	
  study	
  design	
  	
  
               •    Used	
  to	
  explore,	
  describe	
  or	
  explain	
  a	
  phenomenon	
  at	
  a	
  parBcular	
  Bme	
  
                      –  Does	
  not	
  examine	
  change	
  over	
  Bme	
  
                      –  Does	
  not	
  assess	
  intervenBons	
  
               •    Allows	
  observaBon/	
  measurement	
  of	
  mulBple	
  variables	
  at	
  same	
  Bme	
  
               •    Allows	
  comparison	
  of	
  mulBple	
  groups/	
  populaBons	
  at	
  a	
  specific	
  Bme	
  
                    point	
  
               •    May	
  establish	
  correlaBons/	
  relaBonships	
  between	
  key	
  variables	
  
               •    Encompasses	
  a	
  range	
  of	
  disciplinary	
  perspecBves	
  and	
  design	
  approaches	
  
        Definition… 
         hUps://translate.google.co.uk/#auto/en/cross-­‐secBon