What type of design combines aspects of both cross sectional and longitudinal studies?

A sequential design is a research method that incorporates elements from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This approach allows researchers to observe different age groups at multiple time points, which enables them to examine developmental changes and individual differences across ages while minimizing some of the limitations associated with each method alone.

By collecting data at different times from various cohorts, sequential designs can help determine if the observed trends are specific to particular age groups or if they represent broader developmental patterns. This flexibility provides a richer understanding of developmental processes over time, making it a preferred method in studies that aim to explore changes across life spans while also considering the influence of historical and social contexts.

Other options like cohort studies and case studies focus on more specific aspects of development or particular groups or individuals over time without the broad comparative aspect that sequential studies offer. Microgenetic studies look at processes in great detail but usually focus on relatively short periods of time, limiting broader developmental insights.