diachronic study
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lon·gi·tu·di·nal stud·y
a study of the natural course of life or disorder in which a cohort of subjects is serially observed over a period of time and no assumptions need be made about the stability of the system.
Synonym(s): diachronic study
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longitudinal study
An epidemiologic study that follows a population forward over time, evaluating the effects of one or more variables on a process. If individuals are followed, it is termed a longitudinal cohort study. If classes—e.g., age classes—are studied, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional study. Longitudinal studies are the converse of horizontal studies.Examples
Cohort studies; case-control studies; Framingham Study in Massachusetts, US; Port Pirie study, an ongoing analysis of the long-term effects of blood lead levels on IQ.
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di·a·chron·ic study
(dī-ă-kron'ik stŭd'ē)A study of the natural course of a life or disorder in which a cohort of subjects is serially observed over a period of time and no assumptions need be made about the stability of the system.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012