Schedule and Presentations 2010
This year’s theme will be “Integrative Data Analysis” using datasets from studies affiliated with the Integrative Analysis of Longitudinal Studies of Aging (IALSA) project led by Scott Hofer, Ph.D. and Andrea Piccinin, Ph.D. of the University of Victoria. Data from several large longitudinal studies will be used to address a common hypothesis about how lifetime cognitive activity influences late life longitudinal change in cognition. These studies use different methods and cognitive measures and the primary challenge of this year’s conference will be to harmonize data and coordinate the analysis of several different studies to maximize the comparability of results addressing the primary research hypothesis that lifelong cognitive activity has a protective effect with respect to cognitive decline.
Integrative data analysis methods encompass meta-analysis, pooled-data approaches, and coordination of measurement and analysis protocols. Integrative analysis methods have enormous potential for for making efficient use of the substantial resources provided by the many excellent studies on aging. Synthesizing results across studies has important benefits in terms of direct evaluation of the generalizability of results and increasing statistical power.
The overall training goal for the 2010 workshop is to convey concepts and methods underlying data pooling, scale equating, measurement invariance, and integrative data analysis. Specific training areas for 2010 include: 1) use of item response theory and other latent variable modeling methods to identify dimensions underlying cognitive test results from different studies, 2) methods for evaluating measurement invariance, and 3) random effects mixed model regression analyses and latent growth models, and 4) integrative analysis of data through measurement harmonization and coordinated analysis.
As in the previous conferences, part of the workshop will be organized around workgroups that will perform analyses related to scientific manuscripts. Our goal will be to substantially complete analyses during the week and then organize the workgroups for further interactions to complete the manuscripts.
Didactic presentations on integrative analysis methods and longitudinal modeling will cover basic concepts and methods in these areas, supporting those who are new to these methods. More in depth and sophisticated applications of these methods will occur within the workgroups. Diversity in substantive and methodological expertise of participants will be emphasized so that the conference promotes learning for all participants and establishes an informal network in which to enhance research on cognitive changes associated with aging.