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The longitudinalapproach to the study of immigrants has many undoubted advantages, to which Professor Appleyard and others have drawn attention (Appleyard, 1964(Appleyard, , 1972). When observations are made and information obtained at each stage of the migratory experience, from the original decision to emigrate onward, the data obtained are more reliable than when the researcher must rely upon retrospection. Furthermore, by following a specific cohort over a period of time, it is possible to measure the direct effect of length of residence without the distortion that arises when the characteristics of different cohorts are examined. The experiences of different cohorts are influenced not only by length of residence, but by the specific ethnic composition and socio-economic status of the immigrants in question, and by the varying conditions in the receiving society at time of arrival and subsequently. However, there are a number of reasons why it is unlikely that sociologists will be able to dispense with what has been called the 'one shot' survey as a means of examining the characteristics and experi? ences of immigrants. Although early census data may be available in forms that permit the linkage of records of individuals, laws governing the confidentiality of such information preclude access for this purpose to recent public records (Turrittin, 1973). Longitudinal studies on a sample basis are valuable but extremely time consuming and expensive. To date, few such studies dealing with immigrants have collected data beyond the third year of residence, although there are socio-medical studies in Britain that have followed specific birth cohorts at intervals over more than twenty years (Douglas, 1968). In a country such as Canada which prides itself on not maintaining an aliens register and where geographical mobility is very high, the problem of tracing im-* This paper is based on research carried out under tne auspices
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