Survey Core

As an integral part of the IFH Survey Data-Core, we will leverage a unique JAVA based web-application developed specifically for conducting multilingual, in-person research with difficult-to-reach populations, which allows for flexible data collection, monitoring, and storage to adhere to regulatory standards and best practices. Our survey data collection system has been rigorously field-tested and implemented to collect data with thousands of participants around the world. Data collection is most reliable when conducted in-person, and today, most survey research and field in-person data collection rely on either manual input or third-party systems which are inflexible, time consuming, and less secure.

Our platform utilizes a Struts web framework, Spring application framework, and Hibernate database ORM framework, with an SQL back-end database to provide these five primary, innovative benefits.

  • Our system uses fully customizable components to fit research needs by providing principle investigators and project coordinators tools to program survey questions in multiple languages, without requiring any technical expertise. These created surveys can then be assigned to research staff to conduct interviews with participants.
  • Survey interviews are accessed via web browser, which allows for research staff to use computer tablets to collect in-person data. All collected data is immediately sent to our secure servers at IFH, and no data is stored on the device, which enhances the security of the survey data. At this point, all data is automatically anonymized, and identifiers are stored separately within the secure servers at IFH. Additionally, these computer tablets allow research staff to maintain eye contact and establish rapport with each participant, thereby enhancing the quality of the data.
  • All collected data points include various metadata which allow for in-depth data monitoring and quality control capabilities by project coordinators and database managers, without sacrificing confidentiality and human subject protections.
  • All changes within the system on the front-end and back-end are immediately implemented, which ensures uniform data collection and monitoring procedures. Appropriate restrictions are placed on various staff and administrative accounts on this platform to ensure data safety and protection.
  • All collected survey data can be turned into research-ready datasets once collected, which significantly reduces the period of time to prepare datasets for use by IFH Survey-Data Core analysts.

IFH Survey / Data Core – Survey Data Holdings

Name Avaliable Data Time Interval Age Ethinicity Size (N/Year) Location Design Eligibility Criteria Study Units Description
Longitudinal Aging Study in India
(HRS Sister S: LASI)
2010: Pilot (Data released) 45+ Indian Began in late 2010
1683 individuals within 950 households
India Panel Study (1) age 45+
(2) live in Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Rajasthan
Individual The Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) is a multidisciplinary panel study designed to be nationally representative of India’s population aged 45 and older.
Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing
(HRS Sister S: KLoSA)
2006-2016 45+ Korean n1 ~ 10,000/ 2006
2006~2016 every two years
South Korea Panel Study "Middle/old-aged population (45 or older) nationwide not including Jeju Island" Individual The data will help identify and observe different dimensions of an aged society, build datasets that enable studies in different fields, and generate data comparable with similar panel studies in other countries (eg. U.S., Europe) that can provide the basis for policy-making and academic studies.
China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
(HRS Sister S: CHARLS)
2011-2015 45+ Chinese N= 2,685 (1,570 Households)/ 2008 Pilot
N= 17,708 (10,257)/ 2011 Wave1 (Baseline)
N= 1,337/ 2012 Pilot Wave2
N= 18,604 (15,770 follow up + 2,834 new)/ 2013 Wave2
N= 20,654/ 2014 Wave3 (Life History Survey)
N= 21,095/ 2015 Wave4
China Panel Study 1) 45 years or older Individual The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) aims to collect a high quality nationally representative sample of Chinese residents ages 45 and older to serve the needs of scientific research on the elderly.
Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) 2011-2017 60+ Chinese N=3157 / 2011-2013
N=3232 / 2013-2015
N=3057 / 2015-2017
N=3126 / 2017-2019
USA Longitudinal 1) 60 years or older
2) self-identify as Chinese
3) living in the community
Individual The PINE Study is a population-based study of Chinese older adults living in the Chicago area which focuses on culture, violence, health, and psycholgoical wellbeing.
Filial Piety Study (PINE Sister S) 2012-2016 21+ Chinese N= 547 individuals, 773 dyads / 2012-2014
N= 669 individuals/ 2014-2016
N= 715 individuals/ 2017-2019
USA Longitudinal 1) 21 years or older
2) have family member who is Chinese, 60 years older and more, and living in the community
Individual + Parent-children dyads The PIETY Study is a population-based study of Chinese adult children in the US which focuses on culture, caregiving, and health and wellbeing.
Dementia and Caregiving Study (PINE Sister S) 2014-2016 21+ Chinese Baseline N = 438 USA Longitudinal 1) 21 years or older
2) have family member who is Chinese, 60 years older and more, living in the community, having mmse less than 20 or having low-z-score
Individual The Dementia and Caregiving Study is a sub study of the Filial Piety Study which focuses on those who have a parent or in law with memory problems.
Nanjing Longitudinal Study of Aging (PINE Sister S) 2017-2018 60+ Chinese N= 1615 / 2017-2018 China Cross sectional 1) 60 years or older
2) self-identify as Chinese
3) iving in the community
Individual Data were collected from 24 cmmunities from 12 streets, 6 district in Nanjing.
Midlife in Japan 2018-2014 30-79 Japanese N= 1,027/2008
N= 382/ 2009-2010 Biomarker Project
N= 57/ 2012
N= 328/ 2013-2014 Biomarker Project Biomarker Data
N= 948/ 2013-2014 Biomarker Project Stacked Medications Data
Japan 2008 & 2012: Longitudinal 1) 30-79
2) Japanese
3) Live in Tokyo
Individual survey data were collected from a probability sample of Japanese adults (N=1,027) aged 30 to 79 from the Tokyo metropolitan area, resulting in the Survey of Midlife in Japan
Indonesia Family Life Surveys (IFLS) 1993-2014 0+ Multiple N= 7,224 Households (22,000 individuals)/ 1993 (IFLS1)
Aim to relocate and reinterview origin households: 94% of IFLS1 households and 91% IFLS1 individuals/ 1997 (IFLS2)
25% subsample of IFLS communities/ 1998 (IFLS2+)
91% of IFLS1 households/ 2000 (IFLS3+)
N= 13,535 households (44,103 individuals)/ 2007
N= 16,204 households (50,148 individuals) + 2,662 proxy interviews/ 2014
Indonesia Panel Study It is based on a sample of households representing about 83% of the Indonesian population living in 13 of the nation’s 26 provinces Individual The Indonesia Family Life Survey is designed to provide data for studying behaviors and outcomes. The survey contains a wealth of information collected at the individual and household levels, including multiple indicators of economic and non-economic well-being: consumption, income, assets, education, migration, labor market outcomes, marriage, fertility, contraceptive use, health status, use of health care and health insurance, relationships among co-resident and non- resident family members, processes underlying household decision-making, transfers among family members and participation in community activities.
Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 1998-2016 1+ Korean N= 38,551/ 1998 (1st)
N= 37,434/ 2001 (2nd)
N= 33,805/ 2005 (3rd)
N= 4,594/ 2007 (4th)
N= 9,744/ 2008 (4th)
N= 10,533/ 2009 (4th)
N= 8,958/ 2010 (5th)
N= 8,518/ 2011 (5th)
N= 8,058/ 2012
N= 8,018/ 2013
N= 7,550/ 2014
N= 7,380/2015
N= 8,150/2016
South Korea Cross sectional (1) Korean citizens
(2) Live in the community
Individual The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a national surveillance system that has been assessing he health and nutritional status of Koreans since 1998. This nationally representative cross-sectional survey includes approximately 10 000 individuals each year as a survey sample and collects information on socioeconomic status, health-related behaviours, quality of life, healthcare utilization, anthropometric measures, biochemical and clinical profiles for non-communicable diseases and dietary intakes with three component surveys: health interview, health examination and nutrition survey.
California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2001-2016
2001-2011: Biennial survey
2011 - now: Annual.
0+ Multiple N= 55,000 Households/ 2001
N= 42,000 Households/ 2003
N= 45,000 Households/ 2005
N= 53,000 Househoolds (More than 51,000 adults + more than 13,000 teens and children)/ 2007
N= 49,000 Households (More than 47,000 adults + more than 12,000 teens and children)/ 2009
N= 44,559 Households (42,935 adults + 2,799 adolescents + 7,334 children)/ 2011-2012
N= 21,304 Households (20,724 adults + 1,201 adolescents + 2,920 children)/ 2013
N= 20,207 Households (19,516 adults + 1,052 adolescents + 2,592 children)/ 2014
N= 21,444 Households (21,034 adults + 754 adolescents + 2,157 children)/ 2015
N= 21,269 Households (21,055 adults + 840 adolescents + 2,136 children)/ 2016
USA Cross sectional The survey design supports study of California’s major race and ethnic groups, and a number of smaller ethnic groups within the state. Within each household, one adult (age 18 and over) respondent was randomly selected. In those households with adolescents (ages 12-17) and/or children (under age 12), one adolescent and one child of the randomly selected parent/guardian were randomly selected; the adolescent was interviewed directly, and the adult sufficiently knowledgeable about the child’s health completed the child interview. Individual CHIS is the nation's largest state health survey. CHIS is a random-dial telephone survey conducted on a continuous basis and covers a wide range of health topics. CHIS gives a detailed picture of the health and health care needs of California's large and diverse population. CHIS is a population-based, random-digit dial (RDD) telephone survey of California households. Within each household, separate interviews were conducted with a randomly selected adult (age 18 and over), adolescents (ages 12-17), and parents of children (ages 0 to 11). The CHIS sample is designed to meet two objectives: (1) provide estimates for most counties and groups of counties with small populations; and (2) provide estimates for California’s overall population, major racial and ethnic groups, and for several smaller ethnic subgroups as well