APPENDIX 1: METHODOLOGY

The methodology for this review was a literature search using a number of databases, including Sociological Abstracts and PsychInfo, and the Sage and Proquest databases. We also accessed the Sloan Work-Family database.

Using key terms, we also searched literature using Google Scholar, which gave the advantage of broadening the review beyond discipline-specific databases and beyond academic journals (to include conference proceedings and government reports, such as the evaluations of leave policies in European countries).

Following the identification of a number of key studies, we continued to work iteratively, tracing sources backwards using a bibliographic method. At the conclusion of the data search, we provided the list of sources to the Department of Labour for their approval.

A variety of sources are referenced in this review. We report the results of both small qualitative and multi-national quantitative studies, as well as some opinion pieces by leading scholars in this field. This was necessary as there were some areas covered in the review where little larger-scale research is available (an example being in the area of men providing care to people other than their own children.) In addition, we wanted to ensure a mix of robust quantitative studies for cross-national perspectives, as well as more in-depth qualitative studies that provide information on family experiences. However, with each of the citations included and particularly with the smaller qualitative studies, we critically examined the methods used and eliminated results where we believed methodologies or measures were not robust.

Other selection criteria for inclusion in this review included the source of the article (for example, whether the research was published in a well respected and peer-reviewed journal) and the reputation of the author. We also included references that were extensively cited (to ensure key documents or studies were included).

The review mostly covers research published in the last 10 years, with a focus on the newest findings. However, in order to comment on changes in this area, we do cite a number of older references.