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The (early months of the) Early Years Longitudinal Survey. Simon Anderson. +. =. Overview. Background to the survey The scoping and consultation process Key design considerations Timetable for coming months. Background.
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The (early months of the) Early Years Longitudinal Survey Simon Anderson
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Overview • Background to the survey • The scoping and consultation process • Key design considerations • Timetable for coming months
Background • SEED Research Committee identified need to look at future data needs • Fed into Executive-wide scoping exercise to identify the requirement for longitudinal data. • Two significant information gaps identified in the area of children/young people: • Early Years • Youth transitions • Looked at potential for addressing these through a longitudinal survey
Main aims • Provide resource for monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of early years/children's services policies • Contribute to the developmentof the early years/children's services evidence base for the Executive and the wider research community
Requirements • Face-to-face survey of parents • Intensive focus on EY group, but opportunities for follow-up through childhood and adolescence • Core plus modular structure • Cross-sectional and longitudinal function • National representation, but also capable of analysis by urban/rural, deprived/non-deprived etc. • Systematic approach to target groups of key policy interest
Research team and contract • Two-part contract • Initial scoping study • First two years fieldwork • Multi-level team • NatCen in collaboration with CRFR (Core Project Team) • Project Affiliates • Wider consultation/involvement
The scoping study • Main objectives • Matching methods and content to policy need • Embedding the study in wider networks • Main elements • Interviews with key stakeholders • Consultation events: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen • Methodological review
Existing questions sets • Child development • Child physical and mental health • Diet and physical activity • Sleeping patterns • Parenting behaviours • Parents’ well-being • Sources of support • Couple relationships
Other studies being looked at • Millennium Cohort Study • Birth Cohort series • EPPE study • Avon Longitudinal Survey • Families and Children Survey • Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions • West of Scotland, 11-16 study • Parents’ demand for access to childcare survey
Hard choices • No single ‘correct’ design – different configurations offer range of pros and cons • Key areas of choice include • Cost versus sample size • Cross-sectional versus longitudinal data • Short-term versus long-term interests • Breadth versus depth in subject coverage • Core sample versus key target groups
Sample design considerations • Three main types of data • Cross-sectional time-specific • Cross-sectional time series • Longitudinal
Key target groups • Children in single parent families • Children living in poverty • Children in rural communities • Children in Minority Ethnic households • Children with SENs • Children with disabilities • Looked After Children
Other key issues • Sampling frame: CB records or CHI? • Value/feasibility of data linkage • Relationship to other surveys (e.g. MCS) • Arrangements for sample maintenance • Arrangements for dissemination and utilisation • Predicting the future: trends in data protection, data collection and data linkage
Where now? • Consultation events in early March • Report and recommendations to the Scottish Executive at end March • Sampling and questionnaire development – March-September • Fieldwork starts – Autumn 2004
Consultation events • Aberdeen 12th March • Edinburgh 12th March • Glasgow 11th March Details at www.crfr.ac.uk www.scotcen.org.uk