LASMAS-IDL 7-8 January 2002 Seminar - National Experiences with Cohort Studies and Their Contribution to the Social Sciences : The objective of this seminar was the presentation of foreign surveys in order to evaluate the pertinence of extending educational panel studies for those leaving the educatioinal system. The first day included presentations on research involving cohorts, panels or retrospective surveys done in the United States, Great Britain and Germany. The second day was intended for sharing experiences with foreign colleagues concerning the necessity, the conception and the operationalization of cohorts studies and the various difficulties encountered in maintaing contact with the individuals involved over long periods of time.