Skip to main content
National Longitudinal Survey of Mature and Young Women (NLSW)

Index to the NLSW Cohort

The National Longitudinal Survey of Mature and Young Women, a two-cohort survey, is part of the NLS Original Cohort project. The Mature Women's cohort includes 5,083 women who were ages 30-44 when first interviewed in 1967, while the Young Women's cohort includes 5,159 women who were ages 14-24 when first interviewed in 1968. Data for both cohorts are available through 2003, when active surveying was discontinued.

  • Topical Guide to the Data

    Topic-by-topic descriptions of the NLS Mature and Young Women data, a crosswalk between the NLS Investigator’s Areas of Interest, and a glossary of terms.

  • Asterisk Tables

    Table of NLS Mature and Young Women topics across all survey rounds often referred to as the "Asterisk Table."

  • Introduction to the Sample

    Description of the sample, the sample design and screening process, interview methods, retention and reason for non-interview, and confidentiality.

  • Other Documentation

    Tutorials, NLS Mature and Young Women Codebook Supplement, Geocode Supplement, Technical Sampling Report, List of Errata, and questionnaires for all rounds.

  • Using and Understanding the Data

    Information on survey instruments, variables types, the interviewing process, item nonresponse, sample weights and design effects, data documentation, and how to access the data.

  • Get Data

    The NLS Investigator provides access to all public NLS data, including NLS Mature and Young Women data.