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Panel studies measure the same sample of respondents at different points in time. Unlike trend studies, panel studies can reveal both net change and gross change in the dependent variable. Additionally, panel studies can reveal shifting attitudes and patterns of behavior that might go unnoticed with other research approaches. Depending on the purpose of the study, researchers can use either a continuous panel, consisting of members who report specific attitudes or behavior patterns on a regular basis, or an interval panel, whose members agree to complete a certain number of measurement instruments only when the information is needed. In general, panel studies provide data suitable for sophisticated statistical analysis and might enable researcher to predict cause-effect relationships.

Panel data are particularly useful in predicting long-term or cumulative effects which are normally hard to analyze in a one-shot case study (or cross-sectional study). For example, in the early 80s', the National Broadcasting Company supported a panel study in order to investigate the causal influence of violent TV viewing on aggression among young people. In brief, the methodology in the study involved collecting data on aggression, TV viewing, and a host of sociological variables from children in several metropolitan cities in the US. About 1,200 boys participated in the study and the variables were measured six times for 3 year study period. The researchers sought to determine whether TV viewing at an earlier time added to the predictability of aggression at a later time. After looking at all the results of data analyses, the investigators concluded that there was no consistent statistically significant relationship between watching violent TV programs and later acts of aggression.

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