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Research using population-based administration data integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings: A
Fadzai Chikwava1, Reinie Cordier1,2, Anna Ferrante3
1School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Insights
Linked population administrative data is increasingly used in child protection research. This review found studies often lack detailed data linkage reporting and advanced statistical methods, hindering robust child protection research.
Area of Science:
- Child Protection Research
- Public Health Data Linkage
- Longitudinal Data Analysis
Background:
- Growing use of linked population administrative data in child protection research over the past decade.
- This study is the first systematic review focusing on research design and statistical methods in child protection research using integrated population-based administrative and longitudinal data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review research designs and statistical methods employed in child protection studies utilizing linked population-based administrative and longitudinal data.
- To identify strengths and weaknesses in the methodologies of existing studies in this field.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.
- Comprehensive search of electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, ERIC, CINAHL) in November 2019.
- Protocol registered and published with Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/96PX8).
Main Results:
- Identified 30 studies covering child maltreatment, mental health, substance abuse, and education.
- Most studies demonstrated strong overall quality but reported poorly on data linkage methods.
- Statistical analyses often neglected mediating factors and lacked multi-level analysis utilization.
Conclusions:
- Recommends standardized reporting of data linkage processes for improved research quality.
- Emphasizes the need for greater coordination between data providers and researchers.
- Highlights the potential for more robust child protection research through methodological improvements.
Introduction:
Over the past decade there has been a marked growth in the use of linked population administrative data for child protection research. This is the first systematic review of studies to report on research design and statistical methods used where population-based administrative data is integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings.
Methods:
The systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The electronic databases Medline (Ovid), PsycINFO, Embase, ERIC, and CINAHL were systematically searched in November 2019 to identify all the relevant studies. The protocol for this review was registered and published with Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/96PX8).
Results:
The review identified 30 studies reporting on child maltreatment, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse and education. The quality of almost all studies was strong, however the studies rated poorly on the reporting of data linkage methods. The statistical analysis methods described failed to take into account mediating factors which may have an indirect effect on the outcomes of interest and there was lack of utilisation of multi-level analysis.
Conclusion:
We recommend reporting of data linkage processes through following recommended and standardised data linkage processes, which can be achieved through greater co-ordination among data providers and researchers.
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