Cohort and longitudinal studies have unique potential to improve understanding of the dynamic processes that shape child development, including trends and trajectories. Because these surveys track individuals over time they can illuminate many aspects and stages of children’s lives, including unexpected events. They provide more of a film strip than a single image. Longitudinal studies bring a life-course perspective to analysis, and can contribute to understanding the drivers and determinants of child outcomes.
Through a series of activities, including establishment and coordination of the Global Longitudinal Research Initiative (GLORI), a network of 30 longitudinal studies, this project shares latest findings emerging from different longitudinal studies to explore what the next generation of knowledge from longitudinal studies will look like. It will identify how cohort studies can contribute to policy and research, identify gaps in knowledge and share lessons on the practice of longitudinal studies.