An Introduction to Longitudinal Research

Elisabetta Ruspini here provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the use of longitudinal research, and its bearing on the social sciences.

One of the major changes in the social science research landscape in recent years has been the introduction of computerised panel surveys in Europe and the US which make longitudinal data widely available to graduate students for the first time. Elisabetta Ruspini here provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the issues involved in this kind of research. This book:

• Defines the concept of longitudinal research
• Gives guidance on sources of longitudinal data in Europe and the US and their strengths and weaknesses
• Discusses the choices that need to be made in this kind of research - for instance the advantages and disadvantages of certain types of research data and of different types of analysis

• Highlights some of the problems involved, e.g. the issue of comparability within longitudinal research

  Autorentext

  Elisabetta Ruspini

  Inhalt
  List of tables/figures Glossary Acknowledgments Part 1. Longitudinal Research 1. What is longitudinal research? 1.1 The need for a definition 1.2 The development of longitudinal research: an historical overview 2. Longitudinal data; characteristics and analytical advantages 2.1 Repeated cross-sectional data 2.2 Panel design 2.3 event orientated observation design (Event History data) 2.4 'Qualitative' longitudinal sources 3. The issues of data collection and comparability within longitudinal research: some examples 3.1 Prospective studies. An example of good practices: the BHPS 3.2 Retrospective studies. How to develop, 'qualitatively', a life course study: the German Life History study (GLHS) 3.3 The issue of comparability within longitudinal research (European Community Household Panel, PACO project, PSID - GSOEP equivalent data file, EPAG data sets, CHER project) 3.3.1. Ex ante attempts 3.3.2 Ex post attempts 4. Some problems connected with longitudinal research 4.1 The limitations of repeated cross-sectional design 4.2 Problems connected with panel design 4.2.1 Timing and error reduction 4.3 Retrospective design and its drawbacks 4.4 Costs and timing of longitudinal research Part 2, Longitudinal Analysis 5. An overview of the major techniques needed to perform longitudinal analysis 5.1 Time series analysis for repeated cross-sectional data 5.2 Structural Equation Models 5.3 Log-linear and Markov Models of categorical longitudinal data 5.4 Multilevel analysis 5.5 Event history analysis 5.6 Sequence analysis Conclusions Bibliography Appendix. Description and characteristics of longitudinal data sets in Europe, Russia and North-America in chronological order Index