What design involves subjects assumed to be similar due to their progression through an institution, allowing for causal inferences?

Cohort design is characterized by a group of subjects who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined time frame, typically progressing through the same institution or environment. This shared experience allows researchers to observe and compare the outcomes of this group over time, facilitating the study of causality.

In a cohort study, researchers can follow subjects as they move through various stages or exposure to certain factors while measuring the potential outcomes. Because individuals in the cohort are assumed to have similarities based on their common experiences, researchers can draw stronger causal inferences regarding how specific variables may impact the subjects' outcomes. This design is particularly effective for understanding the effects of interventions, programs, or changes within an institution, as it enables a clearer connection between exposure and outcome.

While longitudinal design also involves tracking subjects over time, its distinct focus on repeated measures rather than a particular shared institutional progression differentiates it from cohort design. Cross-sectional design captures a snapshot in time and does not allow for causal inferences due to its lack of temporal sequencing. Case study design, while in-depth, typically explores a single case or a limited number of cases, making it less suitable for broader causal conclusions that cohort design allows.