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Method and Description of the Aging in Manitoba Project: A 20-Year Longitudinal Study*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Judith G. Chipperfield ,
Betty Havens  and
Wendy D. Doig
Judith G. Chipperfield
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Betty Havens
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Wendy D. Doig
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
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Abstract

The Aging in Manitoba (AIM) project includes nearly 9,000 seniors who have been interviewed. Three independent cross-sectional samples (i.e. 1971, 1976, 1983) were subsequently followed (1983–1984, 1990), producing cross-sectional and longitudinal data. A major goal of this paper was to examine non-response over time and representativeness of the panel of AIM survivors. This involved analysis of non-response, calculations of completion/response rates, and comparisons of demographic variables across the AIM sample and the broader Manitoba and Canadian populations. Non-response was very low (4.6% in 1983–1984, 5.0% in 1990) and did not appear to be dependent on such factors as location, gender, education level, or nationality descent. The 95.0 per cent completion rate compares favourably with other longitudinal studies, demonstrating the value of employing rigorous tracking procedures. These findings suggest that attempts to minimize bias and selective attrition in the AIM study have been successful.

Résumé

Le projet «Aging in Manitoba» (AIM) porte sur environ 9,000 personnes âgées qui ont été soumises à des interviews. Trois échantillons transversaux indépendants, notamment ceux de 1971, de 1976 et de 1983, ont fait par la suite l'objet d'un suivi en 1983–1984 et en 1990, démarche qui a permis de recueillir des données transversales et des données longitudinales. L'un des principaux objectifs du présent article était d'analyser la non-réponse dans le temps et la représentativité du panel de survivants. Pour ce faire, nous avons procédé à l'analyse de la non-réponse, au calcul des taux d'achèvement ou de celui du taux de réponse, ainsi qu'à la comparaison des variables démographiques au sein de l'échantillon du projet AIM, d'une part, et des populations manitobaine et canadienne, d'autre part. Le taux de non-réponse a été peu élevé (de 4,6% en 1983–1984 et de 5% en 1990) et ne semble pas dépendre de facteurs tels que le lieu de résidence, le sexe, le niveau d'instruction ou l'origine ethnique des répondants. Le taux d'achèvement de 95 pour cent se compare favorablement à celui qui a été obtenu dans d'autres études longitudinales, ce qui démontre la pertinence d'utiliser des méthodes rigoureuses de suivi. Ces résultats suggèrent que les efforts déployés pour réduire le biais et l'extinction sélective ont porté fruit.

Keywords

LongitudinalMethodologyOldest-oldLongitudinalméthodologieles plus âgés des aînés
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 16 , Issue 4 , Hiver/Winter 1997 , pp. 606 - 625
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1997

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