Archives
Longitudinal Survey Development and Design
Deborah Loxton
Anne Young
Abstract
Many longitudinal studies collect data through self-report or administered surveys, either as the main source of data or as one of a set of data collection methods. Longitudinal studies offer special challenges for survey design including meeting diverse needs of investigators and stakeholders, developing consistent surveys that meet current and future needs, obtaining sensitive information in an ethical way, and producing a survey that is economically sound, easy to complete and has longitudinal integrity.
This paper draws on the experiences of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health to provide some insight into the practical aspects of designing longitudinal surveys, including modes of administration, and the development of baseline and follow-up surveys.
The ingredients for successfully conducting a longitudinal survey include extensive consultation, striving for balance between competing interests, review and documentation of all items and justification of new research questions. The commitment of an ever-evolving research team to these tenets contributes to the production of quality outputs which justify the ongoing contribution of the participants.
Keywords
Longitudinal research, survey design, survey administration
References
Adamson L and Chojenta C (2007) Developing relationships and retaining participants in a longitudinal study, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
Adamson L, Young A and Byles J (2007) Recruiting for a longitudinal study: who to choose, how to choose and how to enhance participation, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
Bowling A (2001) Measuring disease: a review of disease-specific quality of life measurement scales 2nd ed, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Brace I (2004) Questionnaire design: how to plan, structure, and write survey material for effective market research, London: Kogan Page.
Brown WJ, Bryson L, Byles JE, Dobson AJ, Lee C, Mishra G and Schofield M (1998) Women’s Health Australia: Recruitment for a national longitudinal cohort study, Women and Health 28(1): 23-40.
Byles JE, Dobson A, Bryson L and Brown WJ (2007) Getting started: 'preparing the ground' and 'planting the vines' for longitudinal research, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
Dillman DA (2000) Mail and Internet surveys: the tailored design method, New York: John Wiley.
Frazer L & Lawley M (2000) Questionnaire design & administration: a practical guide, Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons.
Graves A, Ball J & Fraser E (2007) Data management: The building blocks of clean, accurate and reliable longitudinal datasets, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
Helman J, Loxton D, Adamson L, Graves A and Powers J (2007) Conducting substudies, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
Lee C, Dobson AJ, Brown WJ, Bryson L, Warner-Smith P and Young AF. (2005) Cohort Profile: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, International Journal of Epidemiology, 34: 987-991.
McDowell I (2006) Measuring health: a guide to rating scales and questionnaires 3rd ed, New York: Oxford University Press.
Presser S, Rothgeb J and Couper M et al (eds) (2004) Methods for testing and evaluating survey questionnaires, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Streiner DL and Norman GR (1995) Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use, 2nd ed. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
Warner-Smith P, Loxton D and Brown WJ (2007) Human resources for longitudinal studies: Matching people to skills and tasks, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches.
eContent Home