How researchers use longitudinal data
Researchers from different disciplines use longitudinal data for different purposes. Here are some examples of the kinds of questions different disciplines might try and answer using longitudinal data.
- Economics: What is the effect of education and training on earnings in later life?
- Genetics: What is the relationship between a particular genetic variant, smoking behaviour and the risk of a person developing lung cancer?
- Geography: How well do immigrants entering the UK assimilate into local labour markets?
- Health: How does the consumption of specific foods and drinks relate to excess weight gain among children?
- Psychology: How much does bullying increase the risk of depression and self-harm in adolescence?
- Political sciences: What is the impact of cognitive ability and personality on voter turnout?
- Sociology: What is the relationship between a child’s family background, and how well they do at school?