Longitudinal Data Analysis

11

Using Discrete-Time Survival Analysis to Study Event Occurrence

Suzanne E. Graham

University of New Hampshire

John B. Willett and Judith D. Singer

Harvard University

 

Researchers who study aging, health, and social sciences often ask questions about whether and when events occur, and how variation in the timing of event occurrence is related to critical features of the individuals, such as their life experiences, their social backgrounds, and educational levels. For example, researchers might ask whether, and if so when, individuals experience major life events, such as getting married or having a first child, and whether the timing of these events is related to educational levels. Or, we might ask whether and when individuals are most likely ...