Methodological Issues Of Longitudinal Surveys

This book addresses a broad array of pressing challenges of longitudinal surveys and provides innovative solutions to methodological problems based on the example of the NEPS. It covers longitudinal issues such as sampling, weighting, recruiting and fieldwork management, the design of longitudinal surveys and the implementation of constructs, conducting competence tests over the life course, effective methods to improve and to maintain the highest level of data quality, data management tools for large-scale longitudinal surveys, the dissemination of research data to heterogeneous scientific communities, as well as establishing a long-term public relations and communications unit integrating a study’s stakeholder community over time.

Longitudinal surveys are surveys that involve collecting data from multiple subjects on multiple occasions. They are typically used for collecting data relating to social, economic, educational and health-related issues and they serve as an important tool for economists, sociologists, and other researchers. Focusing on the design, implementation and analysis of longitudinal surveys, Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys discusses the current state of the art in carrying out these surveys. The book also covers issues that arise in surveys that collect longitudinal data via retrospective methods. Aimed at researchers and practitioners analyzing data from statistical surveys the book will also be suitable as supplementary reading for graduate students of survey statistics. This book: Covers all the main stages in the design, implementation and analysis of longitudinal surveys. Reviews recent developments in the field, including the use of dependent interviewing and mixed mode data collection. Discusses the state of the art in sampling, weighting and non response adjustment. Features worked examples throughout using real data. Addresses issues arising from the collection of data via retrospective methods, as well as ethical issues, confidentiality and non-response bias. Is written by an international team of contributors consisting of some of the most respected Survey Methodology experts in the field

Advances in Longitudinal Survey Methodology Explore an up-to-date overview of best practices in the implementation of longitudinal surveys from leading experts in the field of survey methodology Advances in Longitudinal Survey Methodology delivers a thorough review of the most current knowledge in the implementation of longitudinal surveys. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the many advances that have been made in the field of longitudinal survey methodology over the past fifteen years, as well as extending the topic coverage of the earlier volume, “Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys”, published in 2009. This new edited volume covers subjects like dependent interviewing, interviewer effects, panel conditioning, rotation group bias, measurement of cognition, and weighting. New chapters discussing the recent shift to mixed-mode data collection and obtaining respondents’ consent to data linkage add to the book’s relevance to students and social scientists seeking to understand modern challenges facing data collectors today. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to refreshment sampling for longitudinal surveys, including consideration of principles, sampling frame, sample design, questionnaire design, and frequency An exploration of the collection of biomarker data in longitudinal surveys, including detailed measurements of ill health, biological pathways, and genetics in longitudinal studies An examination of innovations in participant engagement and tracking in longitudinal surveys, including current practices and new evidence on internet and social media for participant engagement. An invaluable source for post-graduate students, professors, and researchers in the field of survey methodology, Advances in Longitudinal Survey Methodology will also earn a place in the libraries of anyone who regularly works with or conducts longitudinal surveys and requires a one-stop reference for the latest developments and findings in the field.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the many advances that have been made in the field of longitudinal survey methodology over the past twelve years, as well as slightly extending the topic coverage of the earlier volume, “Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys.” As such, it describes the state of the art in designing, implementing, and analysing longitudinal surveys. The greatly expanded enthusiasm for longitudinal surveys has brought with it a thirst for knowledge about the best ways to design and implement such surveys. Considerable advances in knowledge have been made in recent years in areas that are covered in this book that encompasses all stages of the design and implementation of longitudinal surveys. Topics include: Dynamic sampling for the representation of dynamic populations; Methods for tracking mobile sample members over time; Methods for maintaining co-operation over time; Targeted design features for response maximisation; The use of longitudinal survey paradata for field management; Advances in dependent interviewing techniques; This book is an invaluable resource providing deeper insight into longitudinal surveys.

This volume is the product of a course on longitudinal prospective re search arranged by the three editors in Arhus, Denmark, in 1978. The course was supported by the Nordisk Kulturfond for young researchers from the Nordic countries, who had planned or had simply involved themselves in longitudinal prospective research projects of various kinds. The twenty-six participants represented a wide range of professions: statisticians, psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and public health researchers. The teachers came from many countries and represented many disciplines. The course was very successful, especially from the point of view of the quality and investment of the teachers. We felt also that the course met a strong need in this relatively new field of research. Therefore, we asked the teachers to prepare written versions of their lectures so that they could have wider dissemination; they agreed to do so. The present book is composed of these contributions. The first chap ter, after outlining some of the problems with traditional strategies in mental health research, goes on to suggest some of the possible preven tive applications of longitudinal research methods. Included in Parts II and III are papers on design problems and on the tools of long-term research, such as genetics and classification, biological measurements, epidemiological guidelines, statistical models, disease registers, and de velopmental psychology.

Longitudinal research (or observing the same subject across time) in human development requires more careful planning than do cross-sectional studies and is demanding theoretically and organizationally. This volume focuses on methods of data treatment in longitudinal research emphasizing the importance of careful matching of methodology to the substantive problem under consideration. It deals particularly with concepts of stability and change that are central to personality and developmental research. Contributors to this volume explore the methodology and scope of life span studies in a variety of contexts, including intellectual and cognitive development, transitions such as that from childhood to early adult life, social mobility, behavioral genetics, and psychological disorder, particularly depression. It is a valuable reference for a wide range of researchers in developmental psychology, social and behavioral science, psychiatry, epidemiology, and statistics.

Longitudinal research is a broad field in which substantial advances have been made over the past decade. Unlike many of the existing books that only address the analysis of information. The Handbook of Longitudinal Research covers design and measurement as well as the data analysis. Designed for use by a wide-ranging audience, this Handbook not only includes perspective on the methodological and data analysis problems in longitudinal research but it also includes contributors' data sets that enable readers who lack sophisticated statistics skills to move from theories about longitudinal data into practice. As the comprehensive reference, this Handbook has no direct competition as most books in this subject area are more narrowly specialized and are pitched at a high mathematical level. Contributors and subject areas are interdisciplinary to reach the broadest possible audience (i.e., psychology, epidemiology, and economics research fields) Summary material will be included for less sohisticated readers Extensive coverage is provided of traditional advanced topics