Cross sectional studies look at the sample at one point in time. It makes this kind of study good for capturing prevalence (of a condition, of an intervention, or of a belief or perception). However, capturing only one point in time limits the generalizability of the results.
![A chart shows the cross sectional research process where a group is measured for a specific variable once and that's the end.](https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/160986/images/NURS_Research_Libguide_images.jpg)
Research process in a cross sectional study:
- Measure for a specific variable in a sample population
- End!
An example:
Researchers conduct a survey to measure nurses' understanding of current CAUTI prevention guidelines. The results reflect that cohort of nurses' understanding of CAUTI guidelines at that specific moment in time.