ESDS Longitudinal web questionnaire

Longitudinal Survey Data Consultation
INTRODUCTION
The UKDA and the UK Longitudinal Studies Centre (ULSC) both based at Essex
will be launching a new ESRC/JISC-funded longitudinal data service. The service
will provide enhanced data for, access to, and support for an initial portfolio of
key longitudinal data collections including:
• British Household Panel Survey (BHPS)
• National Child Development Survey (NCDS)
• British Cohort Study (BCS70)
• Millennium Cohort Study (MCS)
We want to make sure that this service meets the needs of the UK academic
community. We would be grateful for your help in achieving this objective by
completing this short questionnaire.
DATA SOURCES AND SOFTWARE
1a. Which longitudinal surveys do you currently use? (check all that
apply)
None (go to Q2.)
National Child Development Study
1970 British Cohort Study
British Household Panel Survey
Other (please state)
b. How often do you access/order longitudinal data from the UK Data
Archive?
Regularly
Occasionally
Rarely/Never (go to Q.2)
c. When did you last access/order any longitudinal data from the UK Data
Archive?
In the last 3 months
More than 3 months, but no more than 1 year ago
More than 1 year ago but no more than 3 years ago

More than 3 years ago
2. Which longitudinal surveys might you want to use in the future?
(check all that apply)
National Child Development Study
1970 British Cohort Study
British Household Panel Survey
Millennium Cohort Study
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Other (please state)
3. Are there any other longitudinal surveys that you want to use that are
not currently archived?
4. Which data analysis, software packages do you use on a regular basis?
(check all that apply)
SPSS
STATA
SAS
NESSTAR (for online analysis,not simply data discovery)
NSDstat
Other (please state)
RESEARCH
5. Do you use any of the above datasets for research?
Yes
No (if no go to Q. 10)
6. What topics are you researching?
e.g. life events, poverty transitions etc.

7. Have you experienced any difficulties accessing and using longitudinal
survey data in your research? (check all that apply or state what kind)
Accessing data: Yes No
Registration for data services
Ordering via UK Data Archive online
system
Downloading data via UK Data Archive
system
Cost of acquiring data
Other (please specify)
Using data:
Conducting longitudinal statistical
analysis
Data documentation
Obtaining details about variables
Merging files
Handling missing data
Other (please specify)
Please provide further details on any difficulties
8. Would any of the following be useful in using longitudinal survey
datasets in your research:
a. Additional derived variables?
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which topic areas would be most useful?

. An index of variables that are harmonised or comparable between
surveys?
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which topic areas would be most useful?
c. Sampler datafiles to explore online the content and extent of data?
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which topic areas would be most useful?
d. An online system for visualising the data structure in order to aid
subsetting and matching data?
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
9. What other services or developments would make it easier for you to
access or use longitudinal survey data in your research?

TEACHING
10. Do you use any of the following datasets in your teaching? (check all
that apply)
No (go to Q. 16)
National Child Development Study
1970 British Cohort Study
British Household Panel Survey
Other (please state)
11. In which context? (check all that apply):
Postgraduate
Undergraduate
Further Education
Professional courses
Please state discipline
12. In what substantive areas is your teaching focused?
e.g. economics or sociology
13. Have you experienced any difficulties accessing or using longitudinal
survey data in your teaching?
(check all that apply or state what kind)
Accessing data: Yes No
Class registration for data services
Gaining permission to use data for
teaching
Ordering via UK Data Archive online
system
Downloading data via UK Data Archive
system
Cost of acquiring data
Other (please
specify)
Using data:
Data documentation

Merging files
Weighting
Teaching longitudinal statistical analysis
with real data
Availability of tailor-made teaching
datasets
Other (please
specify)
Please provide further details on any difficulties
14. Would themed teaching datasets be helpful in your teaching?
Yes very helpful
A little helpful
Not at all helpful
If very helpful, which themes would be most helpful to you?
15. What other services or developments would make it easier for you to
access or use longitudinal survey data in your teaching?
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
16. Have you ever been on a training course on longitudinal data, e.g.
data analysis?
Yes
No
If yes, please give very brief details of the topic, where the course was held, and
the most useful aspects.

17. Which of the following forms of training would you find useful?
a. Courses to raise awareness of longitudinal survey data and their
research potential
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which specific topics are you particularly interested in?
b. Courses on specific aspects of particular surveys (e.g. matching
datafiles in the BHPS)
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which specific surveys or aspects are you particularly interested in?
c. Topic-based courses drawing on a range of surveys (e.g. employment
and the labour market)
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, which topics are you particularly interested in?
d. Online training and support resources, including course materials,
‘how to’ guides and workbooks
Very useful
Of some use
Not useful
If very useful, what kind of resources would be most useful?

ANY OTHER COMMENTS
Please feel free to add any other comments below.
Finally, would you be prepared to take part in further, more detailed consultation
activities to aid the planning and development of the new Economic and Social
Data Service?
Yes
No
Email address