title: Adapting data collection methods in the Australian Life Histories and Health Survey: a retrospective life course study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ideally, life course data are collected prospectively through an ongoing longitudinal study. We report adaptive multimethod fieldwork procedures that gathered life history data by mail survey and telephone interview, comparable with the face-to-face methods employed in the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Australian Life Histories and Health (LHH) Survey was a substudy of the Australian 45 and Up Study, with data collection methods modified from the ELSA Study. A self-complete questionnaire and life history calendar were completed by the participants, followed by a computer-assisted telephone interview recording key life events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LHH survey developed and tested procedures and instruments that gathered rich life history data within an ongoing Australian longitudinal survey on ageing. Data collection proved to be economical. The use of a self-complete questionnaire in conjunction with a life history calendar and coordinated computer-assisted telephone interview was successful in collecting retrospective life course information, in terms of being thorough, practical and efficient. This study has a diverse collection of data covering the life course, starting with early life experiences and continuing with socioeconomic and health exposures and outcomes during adult life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mail and telephone methodology can accurately and economically add a life history dimension to an ongoing longitudinal survey. The method is particularly valuable for surveying widely dispersed populations. The results will facilitate understanding of the social determinants of health by gathering data on earlier life exposures as well as comparative data across geographical and societal contexts.
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kendig
authors.forename: Julie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Byles
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Loughlin
authors.forename: James Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Nazroo
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noone
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Peta M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Forder
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011177:Postal Service; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Epidemiology; Public Health; Statistics & Research Methods