scholarly journals The Fundamentals of Longitudinal Research: An Overview

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rajulton

This paper outlines briefly the historical development of ideas related to longitudinal studies and their advantages over cross-sectional studies. Then it points out a few complicating factors that arise with the analysis of longitudinal data and highlights some of the approaches adopted to manage those complicating factors and illustrated in the papers included in this Special Issue. The overall aim is to promote a better understanding of the information that longitudinal data provide and of the suitable techniques needed to analyze such data.

Author(s):  
Judith G. Chipperfield ◽  
Betty Havens ◽  
Wendy D. Doig

ABSTRACTThe Aging in Manitoba (AIM) project includes nearly 9,000 seniors who have been interviewed. Three independent cross-sectional samples (i.e. 1971, 1976, 1983) were subsequently followed (1983–1984, 1990), producing cross-sectional and longitudinal data. A major goal of this paper was to examine non-response over time and representativeness of the panel of AIM survivors. This involved analysis of non-response, calculations of completion/response rates, and comparisons of demographic variables across the AIM sample and the broader Manitoba and Canadian populations. Non-response was very low (4.6% in 1983–1984, 5.0% in 1990) and did not appear to be dependent on such factors as location, gender, education level, or nationality descent. The 95.0 per cent completion rate compares favourably with other longitudinal studies, demonstrating the value of employing rigorous tracking procedures. These findings suggest that attempts to minimize bias and selective attrition in the AIM study have been successful.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne B. Krasnoff ◽  
Michael A. Kohn ◽  
Frankie K.K. Choy ◽  
Julie Doyle ◽  
Kirsten Johansen ◽  
...  

Background:Interest in the quantification of physical activity is on the rise. Tri-axial accelerometry has frequently been used; however, research on the reliability of these devices is limited. We examine the interunit and intraunit reliability of 22 RT3 triaxial accelerometers using a performance-documented laboratory agitator.Methods:The RT3 units were tested while moving in 2 directions (antero-posterior, medio-lateral) and speeds (150 and 275 RPM) on a shaker with simultaneous documented performance output for three 24-hour periods.Results:Minimal shaker variance was recorded for all trials (coefficients of variation [CVs] < 0.52%). Our data demonstrate good reliability within RT3s (CVs < 1.81%) but poor reliability among the 22 units (CVs range = 9.5% to 34.7%).Conclusions:In longitudinal studies, each subject should use the same RT3 unit at each assessment. The use of multiple RT3 units in cross-sectional studies is not recommended because data interpretation would be compromised by the high between-unit variability.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e029046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulmohsen Hamdan Al-Zalabani ◽  
Ibrahim Noor Elahi ◽  
Abdullah Katib ◽  
Abdulmajeed G Alamri ◽  
Abdulrahman Halawani ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo carry out meta-analysis and systematic review on the association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence among adults and children.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of observational research.Data sourcesMedline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2018.Eligibility criteriaWe included observational studies investigating the association between soft drinks consumption (including maternal consumption during pregnancy) and asthma or wheeze.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted by one author and reviewed independently by two other authors. The most adjusted estimate from each original study was used in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and heterogeneity was evaluated using I2statistic.ResultsOf 725 publications originally identified, 19 were included in this systematic review, including 3 cohort studies and 16 cross-sectional studies. Ten articles reported on children up to 18 years, 5 articles on adults (>18 years) and 2 articles on prenatal exposure. In total, 468 836 participants were included, with more than 50 000 asthma cases. Soft drinks consumption was associated with significantly increased odds of asthma in both adults (OR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.52) and children (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.21). Prenatal exposure had marginally statistically significant association (OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23) with asthma in children. In subgroup analysis for childhood exposure, the association persists for sugar-sweetened soft drinks but not for carbonated drinks.ConclusionOur findings show a positive association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence, mostly from cross-sectional studies. Therefore, more longitudinal research is required to establish causality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marciano ◽  
Peter J Schulz ◽  
Anne-Linda Camerini

Abstract Cyberbullying perpetration (CP) and victimization (CV) are prevalent issues in adolescent development. However, previous meta-analyses focused only on cross-sectional findings. The present study aims to meta-analytically summarize 56 longitudinal studies on CP, CV, and related factors in children and adolescents. Forty meta-analyses on CP and CV as both predictors and outcomes of person-related, Internet activity-related, and contextual factors were performed. Additional moderator analyses took into account study design, sample population, and quality of the studies. Results highlight reciprocal longitudinal effects among CP, CV, and both traditional bullying and victimization: CP causes externalizing problem behaviors over time, whereas CV constitutes a risk factor of internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety. Conversely, behavioral problems and increased Internet use predict involvement in CP, while depression, anxiety, and Internet use also predict CV over time. Further longitudinal research is needed to provide empirical evidence on understudied concepts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ather Nawaz ◽  
Nina Skjæret ◽  
Jorunn Lægdheim Helbostad ◽  
Beatrix Vereijken ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton ◽  
...  

Serious games (exergames) have the potential to be effective for postural balance and increasing muscle strength. Several games have been developed to increase physical fitness and balance among older adults. However, it is unclear to which degree usability and acceptability of exergames for older adults have been evaluated. The aim of this study was to summarize usability evaluation and acceptability of studies in older adults. We conducted a scoping review on studies focusing on usability of exergames for older adults. The result shows that older adults consider usability and acceptability of exercise video games good. The review shows that longitudinal studies mainly use off-the-shelf exergame and evaluated game effectiveness and acceptability, whereas cross-sectional studies focus on interactional experience. Studies varied in their approaches to measure usability and acceptability of exergames for older adults. There is a need for a systematic developmental approach to involve older adults in development of exergames for longitudinal studies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Nelson ◽  
Daniel E. L. Promislow ◽  
Joanna Masel

AbstractBiomarkers are important tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and identification of the causal factors of physiological conditions. Biomarkers are typically identified by correlating biological measurements with the status of a condition in a sample of subjects. Cross-sectional studies sample subjects at a single timepoint, while longitudinal studies follow a cohort through time. Identifying biomarkers of aging is subject to unique challenges. Individuals who age faster have intrinsically higher mortality rates and so are preferentially lost over time, in a phenomenon known as cohort selection. In this paper, we use simulations to show that cohort selection biases cross-sectional analysis away from identifying causal loci of aging, to the point where cross-sectional studies are less likely to identify loci that cause aging than if loci had been chosen at random. We go on to show this bias can be corrected by incorporating correlates of mortality identified from longitudinal studies, allowing cross sectional studies to effectively identify the causal factors of aging.


Author(s):  
Andrew Bell

This chapter focuses on cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. cross-sectional studies involve the analysis of usually quantitative data collected at a single snapshot in time. The unit of observation might be people or countries, and those are measured only once, all at approximately the same time. In contrast, longitudinal studies (also referred to as repeated measures studies) involve analysis on multiple occasions over time, where the same individuals (or countries) — the panel — are measured on each occasion. As such, the unit of observation is occasions, and there are multiple occasions/measures of each individual. A subcategory of longitudinal studies is event-history/survival/duration analysis, where the dependent variable is binary and the focus is on causes of changes between the two states of the outcome. Note that in comparison, time series analysis typically involves fewer individuals (often only one) and a larger number of time points. A third type of study, situated in between longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, is repeated cross-sectional analysis, which involves the analysis of multiple cross-sectional data sets over time, and different individuals are measured in each wave of the survey. Here, the unit of observation is individuals, and there are multiple individuals measured in each survey wave.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger T Mulder

Objective: The search for an alcoholic personality has been pursued with varying enthusiasm throughout the 20th century. This paper reviews the methodological issues, research designs and current theories relating alcoholism and personality. Method: A selected literature search using computerised databases was ordered via the four major research design strategies: cross sectional studies, high-risk studies, longitudinal studies and genetic epidemiology studies. Results: Cross sectional studies have suggested that two broad bands of personality, impulsivity/novelty seeking and neuroticism/negative emotionality, are associated with alcoholism. Although high-risk studies have repeatedly shown that sons of male alcoholics are at increased risk of alcoholism, whether this risk is related to personality variables is unclear. Many authors believe that the presence of antisocial personality disorder is a confounder and that this may explain some of the contradictory findings. Longitudinal studies have consistently reported that antisocial behaviour and hyperactivity are related to later alcoholism. Negative emotionality seems to be less important and may largely be a consequence of the alcoholism itself. Genetic epidemiological studies suggest that personality measures play a modest but significant role in the genetic influence of alcoholism. The strongest relationships are with conduct disorder and antisocial behaviour. The postulated alcoholic subtypes (Type I, Type II or Type A/B) based on age of onset and personality style have been challenged by recent research. The most vulnerable to alcoholism may be those with both high impulsivity/high novelty seeking and high neuroticism/negative emotionality. Conclusion: Antisocial behaviour and hyperactivity are the most consistent behaviours associated with alcoholism. These behaviours are not specific for alcoholism and are associated with many other psychiatric conditions. Personality variables by themselves explain only a small proportion of the risk for alcohol dependence. There is no alcoholic personality nor are there personality measures which are specific to vulnerability to later alcohol dependence. Attempting to link alcoholism with theoretical, poorly validated models of personality is premature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 466-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G Nelson ◽  
Daniel E L Promislow ◽  
Joanna Masel

Abstract Biomarkers are important tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and identification of the causal factors of physiological conditions. Biomarkers are typically identified by correlating biological measurements with the status of a condition in a sample of subjects. Cross-sectional studies sample subjects at a single timepoint, whereas longitudinal studies follow a cohort through time. Identifying biomarkers of aging is subject to unique challenges. Individuals who age faster have intrinsically higher mortality rates and so are preferentially lost over time, in a phenomenon known as cohort selection. In this article, we use simulations to show that cohort selection biases cross-sectional analysis away from identifying causal loci of aging, to the point where cross-sectional studies are less likely to identify loci that cause aging than if loci had been chosen at random. We go on to show this bias can be corrected by incorporating correlates of mortality identified from longitudinal studies, allowing cross-sectional studies to effectively identify the causal factors of aging.


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