Cross-section Data

A cross-section data shows information about different subjects or elements of a sample or population during the same period of time.

The information in the table below is not based on real statistical data, but it can help us understand what we mean by cross-section data.

The table below shows cross-section data for the following two reasons:

First, you can see that the subjects are different since the information was compiled for 5 different companies.

Second, the information was compiled during the same time period. It was during the year of 2001.

Cross section data

In summary, a set of data is a cross-section data whenever the following two conditions are met.

  • The information is about different subjects
  • The information is for same time period

Time-series data