Question

Longitudinal research is complicated by high rates of ____________. a. deception b. observation c. attrition d. generalization

Short answer

c. attrition

Step-by-step solution

Understand Key Terms

Longitudinal research refers to studies that are conducted over an extended period of time, sometimes over several years or even decades. The terms provided in the options are: deception (misleading participants about the true purpose of a study or the events that will transpire), observation (the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information), attrition (the process in which participants drop out of a study), and generalization (ability to apply findings from a research study to larger groups).

Reason Out the Answer

In longitudinal studies, it's less likely that high rates of deception or observation complicate the research. Generalization is typically a goal, not a complication. However, attrition (losing participants over time) is indeed a major complication in longitudinal research. As time goes by, people may choose to stop participating or could be lost for a variety of other reasons, thereby potentially skewing the results.