RESEARCH METHODS-QUALITATIVE STUDY DESIGNS-BASING ON NATURE OF THE INVESTIGATION- TREND STUDIES

If you want to map change over a period, a trend study is the most appropriate method of investigation.  Trend analysis enables you to find out what has happened in the past, what is happening now and what is likely to happen in the future in a population group. This design involves selecting a number of data observation points in the past, together with a picture of the present or immediate past with respect to the phenomenon under study, and then making certain assumptions as to future trends. In a way you are collecting cross-sectional observations about the trend being observed at different points in time over past–present–future. From these cross-sectional observations you draw conclusions about the pattern of change.  Trend studies are useful in making forecasting by extrapolating present and past trends thus making a valuable contribution to planning. Trends regarding the phenomenon under study can be correlated with other characteristics of the study population. For example, you may want to examine the changes in political preference of a study population in relation to age, gender, income or ethnicity. This design can also be classified as retrospective–prospective study on the basis of the reference period classification system.