DEMO8083
Introduction to Longitudinal Methods
Co-ordinator – Dr Edith Gray
Units: 6
Semester: 1
Prerequisite/corequisite: DEMO8061 Social Research Design
Compulsory for MSR (Social Research Methods)
Note: students not enrolled in the Master of Social Research or the Graduate Certificate in Social Research require permission of the Masters Coordinator, Dr Robert Ackland, to enrol in this course. Please contact him on adsri.study@anu.edu.au.
Syllabus
This course is designed to give students an overview of the use of longitudinal methods in social research. No prior knowledge in survey research methods is assumed. Many social surveys collect information at one point in time which does not allow the researcher to determine cause and effect. Longitudinal surveys, specifically panel surveys, collect information from the same respondent over time, allowing analysts to examine pathways for individuals. The use of longitudinal data has many advantages over the use of data which take only a ‘snapshot’ of a society: these advantages to social researchers and policy makers will be considered. The course introduces the purposes of using longitudinal data, basic designs of longitudinal studies, design considerations, advantages and disadvantages of panel studies, panel data quality and dissemination of results. Instruction in relevant computer software is given as necessary.
Course Topics
- Measuring social change
- Types of longitudinal surveys
- Designing panel studies
- Overview of data quality: Panel attrition, weighting and measurement error
- Panel data and family dynamics
- Panel data and poverty
- Disseminating results
Preliminary Reading
Rose, D. (ed.) (2000) Researching social and economic change: the uses of household panel studies, London: Routledge.
Assessment
Online blog (20%)
Case study (20%)
Essay (40% each)
Presentation (20%)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course participants will understand the strengths and weaknesses of longitudinal data, will be aware of how longitudinal surveys are designed, how longitudinal data are collected, and be aware of the data management issues which are unique to longitudinal data collection.
