Usage of the GUS datasets

This page contains information from users who have downloaded GUS data and who have agreed to have their project information shared. Users can opt to be included or to amend the details held for them by changing their project registration details.

• Psychometric investgation of mental health items – Dr Tim Croudace (University of Cambridge – Psychiatry). June 2011

  To apply parametric and non-parametric item response theory models to wellbeing items and other scaled instruments. In particular to re-examine dimensionliaty and item bias issues using modern methods including multilevel models and latent trait/item factor analysis theory.
  Other surveys used: LSYPE.

• Teaching research methods to Early childhood studies – Dr Ester Ehiyazaryan (Doncaster College – Humanities Education and Social Science). June 2011

  Teaching research methods to students on the Early childhood studies programme involves introducing the students to qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. In order to analyse data the students need to have access to subject specific / relevant data. this is then built into the teaching delivery by the tutor.
  Other surveys used: MCS.

• Teaching Master student Nutrition Epidemiology – Dr Julie Armstrong (Glasgow Caledonian University – School of LIfe Sciences). November 2010

  This is to teach student how to carry our basic epidemiological methods using longnitudinal datasets. Students who are doing reaserch projects will explore infant feeding environment and later health of the child. Multi-variable analysis will be carried out to assess associations while correcting for confounding variables

• Dynamics of child support – Professor Stephen McKay (University of Birmingham – Social Policy). August 2010

  An analysis of how child support (child maintenance) receipt changes over time. In particular; how the balance changes between formal and informal support from the absent parents. Also perhaps to look at the effects on children of different trajectories of child support.
  Other surveys used: MCS UKHLS FACS NON RESIDENT FATHERS; 1996.

• A multilevel analysis of the influence of households on sedentary behaviour among children in Scotland – Dr Damilola Olajide (University of Aberdeen – Applied Health Sciences). July 2010

  Reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is an important policy challenge for Scotland. Certain behaviours established during childhood years are more likely to prevail into adulthood. Today's overweight and obese children are at greater risk of chronic diseases in the future; including heart diseases; high blood pressure; type2 diabetes; stroke and certain types of cancer. This has implications for heath care resources. Overweight and obesity among children have been partly associated with increased sedentary behaviour such as time spent viewing television. With the exception of recommendations and advice to spend more time undertaking moderate physical activity each week; guidelines rarely consider the context or pattern of sedentary behaviour. Accordingly, the majority of research on sedentary behaviour among children assumes such behaviour to be a self-determining function of individual children with little regard for the influence of family and the household environment which they inhabit. The study aimed to examine the potential influence of household effects on children's sedentary behaviour using a multilevel modelling approach. The Scottish Health Surveys 2003 and 2008 will be used to a two-level mixed effects model in which children are nested within households. The multilevel analysis approach allows an examination of the contribution of each of the two levels (child and family) to variations in children sedentary behaviour; separately. The results are expected to highlight the importance of the family and general household environment for an understanding of sedentary behaviour among children.

• academic reserach – Dr Jian Huang. June 2010

  The dataset will be used as an important source for my research on the causal effects of parental education and economic conditions on juvenile crimes. The university of Amsterdam is the main funding source of this project.
  Other surveys used: BCS70 NCDS.

• Family life in Scotland: approaches to parenting – Dr Anthony Glendinning (University of Aberdeen – Sociology). May 2010

  GUS data will be used to introduce a small group of interested research students to the use of the best available data source on the family life of parents; babies and young children in Scotland with a large scale nationally representative survey sample.

• Nutrition Epidemiology – Dr Julie Armstrong (Glasgow Caledonian University – School of LIfe Sciences). April 2010

  The data will be used for teaching purposes by myself. I am a Senior lecturer in Public Health and teach Nutritional Epdidemiology to health students. The data will be used to illustrate analysis of large datasets to answer specific research questions.

• Early Years – Ms Gillian Munro. February 2010

  One of the overarching priority areas of work for Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People is to increase the focus on the importance of the early years of a child's life to ensure to the maximum extent possible their survival and development. The Commissioner will be utilising the data from the Growing Up In Scotland (GUS) study to inform this work.

• Strategic Planning of Children's Services in South Ayrshire – Mr Christopher Doyle. January 2010

  To collect background data to inform current strategic review of the delivery of care and support services to vulnerable children in South Ayrshire. The resultant review will help to shape children's services over the next 10 years.

• GUSdata – Professor Edward Melhuish (Birkbeck College – Psychology). September 2009

  Analysis of the Growing Up in Scotland data in order to look at the associations between environmental factors and children's development in collaboration with the research and analysis division of Scottish government.

• Religion, identity and nation – Dr Michael Rosie (University of Edinburgh – Sociology). April 2008

  Religion, identity and nation - focus on Scotland and religious identity, extending to comparable societies elsewhere in the UK and Europe.
  Other surveys used: SCS SSA BSA NILTS .

• Maternal attitudes and child outcomes – Dr Bjarne Holmes (Heriot-Watt University – School of Life Sciences). February 2008

  I will begin exploring and testing certain hypothesis regarding maternal atitudes and child outcomes - in particular to see if findings from previous work with smaller samples replicate in this population representative sample.

• Intergenerational contributions to childcare – Dr Alison Smith (University of Edinburgh – Social Policy). January 2008

  Secondary data analysis to explore the prevalence of grandparental childcare. This relates to work previously funded by the ESRC and future grant applications.
  Other surveys used: MCS ELSA.