Why do we collect data on educational histories over the life course the way we do ?

Abstract

"Starting Cohort 6-Adults is one of six samples of the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) and covers members of the adult population living in Germany from multiple birth cohorts. It aims at collecting data on educational processes and competence development in adult life as well as on learning environments, decision processes, and returns. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to gather life-course information, particularly in the area of education and employment. In this chapter, we describe our core questionnaire design and justify why we collect life-course data the way we do. We begin by presenting theoretical principles of life course research and discussing their consequences for questionnaire design. Subsequently, we describe how the process of recalling events and their dating is supported by instrument design in order to guarantee that retrospective life course data will be complete and consistent. Finally, we illustrate the analysis potential of the collected life course data." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Drasch, K., Kleinert, C., Matthes, B. & Ruland, M. (2016): Why do we collect data on educational histories over the life course the way we do ? Core questionnaire design decisions in starting cohort 6-adults. In: H.- P. Blossfeld, J. von Maurice, M. Bayer & J. Skopek (Hrsg.) (2016): Methodological issues of longitudinal surveys : the example of the National Educational Panel Study, p. 331-347. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-11994-2_19