Topics covered by the integrated workshops and seminars
The Steering Committee considered the six topic headings in the proposal at its meeting in September 2003 and agreed to reduce these to five topics with the following revised titles (composition of topic teams)
1. Theory and Practice in the Analysis of Longitudinal Data
This topic remains broadly as set out in the proposal but with the original “pathways” in the title broadened to “longitudinal”. “Pathways” was considered to be too restrictive.
2. The Collection and Analysis of Network Data
The title and coverage of this topic remains the same. It is expected that this topic area will include consideration of the use of multilevel models for network analysis.
3. Theory and Practice in the Analysis of Cross-National Cross-Sectional Data
The term “cross-sectional” was introduced into the title to clarify the distinction between this topic and the first topic. There are a large number of cross-sectional survey data sources, such as the European Social Survey and the European Values Survey which workshops under this heading may make use of. “Very large datasets” has been removed from the original title and will no longer receive emphasis, although some methodological issues associated with large datasets might still be addressed in a workshop. The focus on cross-national aspects is considered important. A number of other methodological issues, such as the treatment of complex sampling schemes, might also be covered under this heading, with the datasets providing some motivation for the issues to be considered.
4. Design and Analysis of Intervention Studies
The original title, which included “meta analysis”, was revised for a number of reasons, in particular to de-emphasise the literature review aspect of meta analysis. Interventions arise in a wide range of social science disciplines, especially those concerned with policy applications. A broad definition of intervention studies will be assumed, to include natural experiments. Design questions will be important, including issues related to quasi-experimental designs. This topic may also refer to the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods.
5. Measurement, Data Collection and Data Quality
“Research design” in the original title has been dropped and “data quality” has been added. Measurement issues related to cross-national comparability are likely to be important. Data collection may include coverage of recent developments in computer-assisted data collection. Problems of data quality are relevant to all of the topics and are expected to receive some emphasis, especially problems arising from non-response. Consideration of data quality is likely to include both the design of measurement and data collection procedures to improve quality and methods for handling data quality problems in analysis.
Fuller descriptions of these topics will appear on the website in due course. Workshop/seminars will be run on topics 1, 3 and 5 in 2004. It is expected that a total of twelve workshop/seminars will take place in total. The choice of topics for 2005 will be made at the Steering Committee in September 2004.
