A cross-sectional alumni survey is a type of observational study that collects data at a single point in time from a group of individuals who have graduated from a particular institution, program, or cohort.

🔍 Definition (Concise): A cross-sectional alumni survey is a one-time survey that gathers information from former students to assess outcomes such as employment, further education, satisfaction, or professional development at a specific moment after graduation.

📌 Key Features: Timeframe: Data is collected at one time point, not over a period.

Population: Targets alumni (graduates), often from a specific year, program, or school.

Purpose: To evaluate career outcomes, skill application, satisfaction with education, or other long-term impacts of the academic experience.

Design: Descriptive, not causal; it provides a snapshot rather than changes over time.

🧪 Example Use: A medical school may conduct a cross-sectional alumni survey 10 years after graduation to assess career specialization, leadership roles, and gender disparities in professional advancement.