Call for Monograph Papers

*Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys*

International Conference to be held at the University of Essex,
Colchester UK
12-14 July 2006

Conference website: http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/ulsc/mols2006

Submissions are invited for monograph papers to be presented at the
conference, Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys (MOLS 2006).  It is
anticipated that accepted monograph papers will be published in a book.
We are currently at an advanced stage of negotiations with a reputable
publisher.  The conference is sponsored by the International Association
of Survey Statisticians (IASS).

Monograph papers should address an important topic in the design,
implementation or analysis of longitudinal surveys. The focus is
primarily on surveys that involve collecting data from subjects on
multiple occasions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to,
the following:

- Sampling for longitudinal surveys, including sample rotation,
refreshment sampling and methods for dealing with population births and
deaths;

- Sample management procedures and methods for tracing sample members
over time and maintaining contact with sample members;

- Design methods for meeting dual requirements for longitudinal and
cross-sectional estimates;

- Instrument design for longitudinal surveys, including the use of
dependent interviewing;

- The effects of using different modes of data collection at different
waves, multiple modes or changing modes;

- Issues in the collection of data from multiple members of a sampling
unit (e.g. household, business), including the use of different
respondents at different waves;

- Methods for minimising sample attrition;

- Assessment of non-response bias (unit and item) on longitudinal surveys;

- Adjustment methods for non-response and attrition, including weighting;

- Imputation and other methods for dealing with item missing data,
especially wave non-response;

- Respondent conditioning and other measurement error issues specific to
longitudinal surveys;

- Methods for estimating measurement error that are unique to panel data;

- Use of administrative data to enhance longitudinal surveys;

- Methods for disclosure avoidance and privacy protection in the release
of longitudinal data files;

- Ethical issues on longitudinal surveys, including confidentiality and
consent;

- Variance estimation for panels, rotating panels and other complex designs;

- Analysis methods specific to repeated measures or duration and event data;

- Analysis of longitudinal survey data under complex designs and
informative sampling;

- Nonsampling and sampling errors in panel data analysis;

- Other issues in the analysis of longitudinal survey data.

Monograph papers should provide a review of research and practice in a
particular area or present important new research which is likely to
have broad relevance. Submissions will be screened by the MOLS 2006
scientific committee, who will select papers that collectively provide
coverage of all relevant topics. It is intended that the monograph book
will provide an authoritative review of the subject.

Submissions should consist of an abstract of approximately 500 words,
describing clearly the topic that will be addressed and the material
that will be drawn upon.  Please also include the names, affiliations
and email addresses of all authors.  Abstracts should be submitted to
[log in to unmask] by 24 January 2005, preferably as a Word document.
Informal enquiries regarding possible submissions are also welcome to
this address.

Authors will be informed whether or not their submission has been
accepted by 18 March 2005.  Details of the process for drafting and
revising papers will then be communicated to monograph authors: this
will involve submitting a first full draft by December 2005, a revised
draft by May 2006, in time for circulation to conference participants,
and a final manuscript by December 2006.  Monograph authors will present
their paper at the conference. The conference registration fee and three
nights accommodation and meals will be provided for one author of each
monograph paper. Unsuccessful monograph submissions will be treated as
submissions for contributed papers unless the authors indicate that they
do not wish this.

For further details of the conference, see the website:
http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/ulsc/mols2006.

*************************************
Peter Lynn ([log in to unmask])
Professor of Survey Methodology
Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)
University of Essex, Colchester, UK CO4 3SQ
tel: +44 (0)1206 874809; fax: +44 (0)1206 873151
http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/