This course is designed to give students an overview of the use of longitudinal methods in social research.
Dr. Edith Gray BA (UC), GradDip (Population Health), MA (Demography), PhD (Demography) is a Fellow at the School of Demography, Research School of Social Sciences, ANU. Her main area of research is family demography. She is currently involved in researching the following areas: Inequality in family formation; Repartnering, cohabitation and living-apart-together relationships; Fertility, contraception and travelling for reproductive care; Parenting; Men's involvement in family life; Civic involvement. Her other research interests include data quality, use of longitudinal data and ethical issues in research.
Many social surveys are crossectional, which means that information is collected at one point in time, providing a 'snapshot' of society. This allows research to be conducted on a ssociations but it does not allow the researcher to determine cause and effect, or to follow trajectories and transitions over time. In comparison, longitudinal surveys collect information from the same respondent over time, allowing researchers to examine pathways for individuals. The use of longitudinal data has many advantages over standard cross-sectional surveys: these advantages to researchers and policy makers will be considered.
The course introduces reasons for using longitudinal data, types of longitudinal studies, design considerations, the benefits and pitfalls of longitudinal studies, data quality and ethical issues specific to longitudinal research. Learning in this course will be supported by the review of case studies and examples of longitudinal research. If necessary, instruction in relevant computer software will be given.
The course is relevant to researchers new to using longitudinal surveys and those who are involved in designing longitudinal studies. No prior knowledge in survey research methods is assumed, although this would be beneficial.
Day 1
Measuring social change (why use longitudinal studies); Analytical Advantages; Types of Longitudinal studies; A review of major longitudinal surveys in Australia
Day 2
Sample design; Design features specific to longitudinal studies; Ethical issues of longitudinal research.
Day 3
Data quality; Attrition; Seam Bias; Panel Conditioning; Dependent interviewing.
Day 4
Dissemination of results; Enhancing longitudinal surveys with linkage to administrative data; The new generation of panel studies.
Factors affecting longitudinal response; Tracking and Tracing; Maintaining Contact; The use of incentives.
Day 5
Preparing longitudinal data files for analysis.
This course is run with in a classroom and will be discussion based. Some class time will be dedicated to reading course material. Participants will be asked to read recommended reading prior to Days 2, 3 and 4. Day 5 will be conducted in a computer lab, using the statistical program Stata.
Participants should have some background in conducting surveys, using survey data or developing social policy. All Stata instruction will be provided, so no experience is required.
Q: Do I need any prior knowledge before taking this course?
A: Participants would benefit from having some experience using survey data or developing social policy.
The instructor's bound, book length course notes will serve as the course texts.
Stata is distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Survey Design and Analysis Services.