What Research Questions Should the Next Generation of Birth Cohort Studies Address? An International Delphi Study of Experts
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Date
2020-04-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Pediatricsv
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Birth cohort studies (BCS) have generated a
wealth of invaluable basic scientific and policy-relevant information
on a wide range of issues in child health and development.
This study sought to explore what research questions are
currently a priority for the next generation of BCS using a 3-
round Delphi survey of interdisciplinary experts.
METHODS: Twenty-four (Round I, N = 17; Round II, N = 21;
Round III, N = 18) experts across a wide range of fields (eg,
psychology, public health, and maternal/child health) agreed
to participate. In Round I, the expert panel was invited to
freely respond to the question, “what are the key scientific
questions future birth cohort studies should address?” Content
analysis of answers was used to identify 47 questions for rating
on perceived importance by the panel in Round II and consensus-
achieving questions were identified. Questions that did not
reach consensus in Round II were posed again for expert rerating
in Round III.
RESULTS: Twenty six of 47 questions reached consensus in
Round II, with an additional 6 reaching consensus in Round
III. Consensus-achieving questions rated highly on importance
spanned a number of topics, including environmental
effects on child development, intergenerational transmission
of disadvantage, and designing BCS to inform intervention
strategies.
CONCLUSION: Investigating the effects of family/environmental
factors and social disadvantage on a child’s development
should be prioritized in designing future BCS. The panel also
recommended that future BCS are designed to inform intervention
strategies.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
birth cohort studies, consensus, Delphi method, research priorities