Which of the following is a limitation of cross-sectional design?

A cross-sectional design is a research method that collects data at a single point in time. Its primary limitation is that it cannot identify changes over time, which means it cannot provide insights into how variables may evolve or correlate across different periods. This is crucial in fields like criminal justice, where understanding trends over time—such as shifts in crime rates or the effectiveness of policies—can significantly impact interventions and strategies.

Because cross-sectional studies gather data only once, they offer a snapshot rather than a developmental or longitudinal view of their subject matter. This inherently restricts the ability to assess causality or changes, since there is no comparison to be made with previous or future data points. In contrast, longitudinal studies track the same subjects over extended periods, allowing researchers to observe changes and draw conclusions about trends and causation effectively.

The other options are less accurate; for example, while cross-sectional studies might be conducted multiple times, they cannot reconcile temporal changes, which is why option B is key in identifying its fundamental limitation.