Scottish Government Publication Notice on 31 October 2008.
A joint report to the Scottish Government Schools Directorate and Lifelong Learning Directorate
by Cathy Howieson and Linda Croxford, The Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh and Nick Howat, BMRB Scotland
ISBN 978 0 7559 7152 7 (Web only publication)
ISSN 0950 2254
This document is also available in pdf format (692k)
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE OPTIONS APPRAISAL
The options appraisal
CHAPTER 2 BACKGROUND: LONGITUDINAL STUDIES, YOUNG PEOPLE'S TRANSITIONS AND THE POLICY CONTEXT
The value of a longitudinal research design
Challenges of a longitudinal research design
The changing nature of young people's transitions
The policy context
CHAPTER 3 THE EXPERIENCE OF LONGITUDINAL STUDIES INTERNATIONALLY
USA - Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 ( ELS:2002)
Australia - Longitudinal Study of Australian Youth ( LSAY)
England - Youth Cohort Study ( YCS)
England - Longitudinal Study of Young People in England ( LSYPE)
Scotland - Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime ( ESYTC)
CHAPTER 4 CONSULTATION ON A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF YOUTH TRANSITIONS
The responses of external stakeholders
The response of Scottish Government staff
Implications of the consultation
CHAPTER 5 OPTIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF A LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Age range
Options for the timing and frequency of contacts in compulsory education
Options for the timing and frequency of post S4 contacts
Options for the recruitment of new cohorts
Interim measures
Options for survey administration
Sampling options
Parental information and possible parental interviews
Options for linkage of administrative data
CHAPTER 6 DESIGN AND GUIDELINE COSTS
Design A
Costs for Design A
Design B
Guideline costs for a 'Keep in Touch' Exercise
Guideline costs for data linkage and derived variables
Costs for analysis and reporting
CHAPTER 7 SAMPLE MAINTENANCE AND ATTRITION
Design A
Design B
Differential attrition
CHAPTER 8 DISSEMINATION, USE AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES
A strategy for analysis and reporting
Encouraging use of the data
The management and governance of a new study
CHAPTER 9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The case for a longitudinal study
REFERENCES
APPENDIX 1 THE SCOTTISH SCHOOL LEAVERS SURVEY ( SSLS)
APPENDIX 2 CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS
APPENDIX 3 TOPIC GUIDE FOR INTERVIEWS
APPENDIX 4 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA FOR LINKAGE TO LONGITUDINAL STUDY
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The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.