What characterizes a panel study?

A panel study is characterized by the same subjects being studied over a period of time. This type of research design allows researchers to observe changes in the same individuals, making it possible to analyze trends and variations in their responses or behaviors as time progresses. By focusing on a consistent group of subjects, panel studies can provide valuable insights into how particular variables affect individuals over time, helping to establish causal relationships and observe long-term effects.

In contrast, studies that examine different subjects at different times are more aligned with cross-sectional methods, which lack the depth of analysis that panel studies offer. The option about not having repeated subjects in measurement is inaccurate for panel studies, as their very nature relies on repeated measures of the same subjects. Lastly, the exclusivity of only using quantitative measures does not apply, as panel studies can incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data to enrich the understanding of the phenomena being studied. This flexibility further enhances their capacity to capture the complexities of social behaviors and changes over time.