1970 British Cohort Study: 2016-17 Survey
Research type
Research Study
Full title
1970 British Cohort Study: 2016-17 Survey
IRAS ID
182666
Contact name
Alice Sullivan
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) is a longitudinal birth cohort study which aims to follow all those living in England, Scotland and Wales who were born in one particular week in April 1970. The study charts the effects of events and circumstances in early life on outcomes and achievements later on.
Since 1970 there have been eight follow-ups. The scope of enquiry has broadened from a strictly medical focus at birth, to encompass physical and educational development at the age of five, physical, educational and social development at the ages of ten and sixteen, and then to include economic development and other wider factors at ages 26, 29, 34, 38 and 42.
The study is run by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London.
This application relates to the next sweep of the study which will take place across 2016 and 2017, when study members will be aged 46/7. Data collection will be carried out by NatCen Social Research, a survey research organisation.
Study members will be visited and interviewed in their homes by trained nurse interviewers. The 2016-17 survey will also involve: 1) a paper self-completion questionnaire 2) cognitive assessments 3) a number of biomedical measurements (height, weight, body fat, hip and waist circumference, grip strength, blood pressure, balance assessment and potentially hearing 4) collection of blood samples 5) an online dietary questionnaire and 6) objective measurement of physical activity using accelerometers.
The study is core-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Additional funding for the 2016-17 survey is provided by the Medical Research Council. Accelerometry is funded by the British Heart Foundation. Hearing assessments will potentially be funded by Action on Hearing Loss.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1446
Date of REC Opinion
8 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion