National Longitudinal Survey of Children (NLSC)

National Longitudinal Survey of Children (NLSC)
Summary of changes
Other reference periods
Related products

Detailed information for 1994-1995 (Cycle 1)

Status:

Inactive

Frequency:

Every 2 years

Record number:

4450

The National Longitudinal Survey of Children (NLSC) is a long-term study of Canadian children that follows their development and well-being from birth to early adulthood. The study is designed to collect information about factors influencing a child's social, emotional and behavioural development and to monitor the impact of these factors on the child's development over time.

Data release - December 18, 1996

Description

The National Longitudinal Survey of Children (NLSC) is a long-term study of Canadian children that follows their development and well-being from birth to early adulthood. The NLSC began in 1994 and is jointly conducted by Statistics Canada and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

The study is designed to collect information about factors influencing a child's social, emotional and behavioural development and to monitor the impact of these factors on the child's development over time.

The survey covers a comprehensive range of topics including the health of children, information on their physical development, learning and behaviour as well as data on their social environment (family, friends, schools and communities).

Information from the NLSC is being used by a variety of people in all levels of government, in universities, and policy-making organizations.

Collection period: September to May

Subjects

  • Child development and behaviour
  • Children and youth
  • Education
  • Education, training and learning
  • Health and well-being (youth)

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population comprises the non-institutionalized civilian population (aged 0 to 11 at the time of their selection) in Canada's 10 provinces. The survey excludes children living on Indian reserves or Crown lands, residents of institutions, full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and residents of some remote regions.

Instrument design

All questionnaires were developed in coordination with HRSDC and an expert advisory group. All instruments were tested in focus groups and pilot surveys prior to collection.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a longitudinal design.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 1994-09-01 to 1995-06-30

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

The survey involves: interviews with a parent of the child; self-completed questionnaires for children 10 and over; a mail follow-up with the teacher and the school principal; and achievement test

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any data which would divulge information obtained under the Statistics Act that relates to any identifiable person, business or organization without the prior knowledge or the consent in writing of that person, business or organization. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. Suppression of direct identifiers (name, address, etc.) and indirect identifiers (combination of variables identifying a respondent) is used.

Confidentiality checks are performed at the family level.

Before tables are published, steps are taken to ensure that there is a minimum number of units in each cell and that the coefficient of variation is low enough for the data to be published.

******************************************
The Quebec Institute of Statistics is engaged in a study of child development called the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD). Past respondents of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) are being asked to participate in the QLSCD. NLSCY respondents are being contacted in January and February 2010 to obtain their permission to release their contact information and collected survey data to the Québec Institute of Statistics.

Documentation

Date modified: