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Insights from the National Child Development Study 1958: designing research instruments, data triangulation and participation in longitudinal studies

Insights from the National Child Development Study 1958: designing research instruments, data triangulation and participation in longitudinal studies
Insights from the National Child Development Study 1958: designing research instruments, data triangulation and participation in longitudinal studies
This paper will cover three methodological discussions arising from our mixed methods research:

• The design of research instruments in longitudinal research: stick or twist?
The National Child Development Study (NCDS) has asked about a changing range of activities over the course of its operation, a factor that problematizes longitudinal consideration of social participation. We critically assess the analysis of a concept whose definition is variable, in particular looking at the role of the ordering and structure of questions to define some categories while excluding others. We consider how the strategic development of panel studies can best approach the call for robust data, be it evolving research instruments that reflect changing interests and understanding of issues, or maintaining constancy in questioning.

• Interpreting the research agenda: the insights of data triangulation for linguistic tensions
A comparison of qualitative and qualitative data relating to the same 50 individuals revealed differing interpretations and understandings of participation, volunteering and research priorities on multiple levels, which were often different again from researchers’ perceptions. This section of the presentation provides practical insight into how using different methodological traditions with the same cohort picks up on/exaggerates language differences, and considers the implications of these for the types of data produced.

• Growing up as a participant in the NCDS and the evolving participation in a longitudinal study
The final area for discussion examinees how the NCDS has changed over time as the cohort identified for our research has grown older, and developed more trusting or dissatisfied relationships to their involvement in the panel. The approach taken to children's and adults' participation in research is now very different to that adopted in the 1950s and 1960s, and our research engages with some of the ethical considerations attached to panel studies, as well as whether participation becomes more meaningful over time, and ways in which the cohort that survives attrition approaches questions differently from non-panel members.
Brookfield, Katherine
55484750-32c3-403b-b25d-f62424b1c506
Parry, Jane
c7061194-16cb-434e-bf05-914623cfcc63
Bolton, V.
9d3e3ac1-c17a-49d6-a8d7-4fd95c9fa9fc
Brookfield, Katherine
55484750-32c3-403b-b25d-f62424b1c506
Parry, Jane
c7061194-16cb-434e-bf05-914623cfcc63
Bolton, V.
9d3e3ac1-c17a-49d6-a8d7-4fd95c9fa9fc

Brookfield, Katherine, Parry, Jane and Bolton, V. (2014) Insights from the National Child Development Study 1958: designing research instruments, data triangulation and participation in longitudinal studies. 6th ESRC Research Methods Festival, Oxford, United Kingdom. 07 - 09 Jul 2014.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper will cover three methodological discussions arising from our mixed methods research:

• The design of research instruments in longitudinal research: stick or twist?
The National Child Development Study (NCDS) has asked about a changing range of activities over the course of its operation, a factor that problematizes longitudinal consideration of social participation. We critically assess the analysis of a concept whose definition is variable, in particular looking at the role of the ordering and structure of questions to define some categories while excluding others. We consider how the strategic development of panel studies can best approach the call for robust data, be it evolving research instruments that reflect changing interests and understanding of issues, or maintaining constancy in questioning.

• Interpreting the research agenda: the insights of data triangulation for linguistic tensions
A comparison of qualitative and qualitative data relating to the same 50 individuals revealed differing interpretations and understandings of participation, volunteering and research priorities on multiple levels, which were often different again from researchers’ perceptions. This section of the presentation provides practical insight into how using different methodological traditions with the same cohort picks up on/exaggerates language differences, and considers the implications of these for the types of data produced.

• Growing up as a participant in the NCDS and the evolving participation in a longitudinal study
The final area for discussion examinees how the NCDS has changed over time as the cohort identified for our research has grown older, and developed more trusting or dissatisfied relationships to their involvement in the panel. The approach taken to children's and adults' participation in research is now very different to that adopted in the 1950s and 1960s, and our research engages with some of the ethical considerations attached to panel studies, as well as whether participation becomes more meaningful over time, and ways in which the cohort that survives attrition approaches questions differently from non-panel members.

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More information

Published date: July 2014
Venue - Dates: 6th ESRC Research Methods Festival, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2014-07-07 - 2014-07-09
Organisations: Gerontology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 370393
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/370393
PURE UUID: 4c1f1c50-18cf-465a-9ba0-3fe6c6fae9c8
ORCID for Jane Parry: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7101-2517

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 30 Oct 2014 11:10
Last modified: 12 Dec 2021 03:47

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Contributors

Author: Katherine Brookfield
Author: Jane Parry ORCID iD
Author: V. Bolton

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