Longitudinal Model Testing Research

Longitudinal model testing research combines repeated measurement across time with formal, a priori structural modeling to confirm or disconfirm hypothesized relationships among constructs. Rather than simply describing change, it tests whether a pre-specified theoretical model — typically a structural equation model or growth model — fits observed data collected at two or more time points. This design supports causal inference more convincingly than cross-sectional approaches by capturing temporal ordering of variables.