Our primary aim for this project was to identify longitudinal datasets with the greatest potential for research on early intervention in depression, anxiety and psychosis. However, our mission to identify eligible datasets granted us insight into how to improve discoverability efforts moving forward.
Using two different search strategies, we saudi arabia rcs data identified 8,275 (longitudinal and other) datasets across the globe. We termed these strategies:
Active search, for which our team searched through repositories containing information about a wide range of datasets. We reviewed 198 repositories, which yielded 7,977 datasets.
Passive search, for which we received information about longitudinal datasets from individuals worldwide via emails and our project website, facilitated by the dissemination of the project on social media platforms (i.e., Twitter and LinkedIn). In total, we received 276 submissions.
With our active search proving much more fruitful, it was clear that a variety of online repositories housing information on longitudinal datasets are increasing their discoverability. In particular, we found the following types of repositories to be most useful:
Journal websites such as the International Journal of Epidemiology, which included a list of and access to over 400 cohort profile papers.