Latest Information from the NLS

A new separate dataset of variable timings has been released for the NLSY97. The timings, which measure the time of the respondent's interaction on a particular question during the interview, are mainly for questions related to sexual activity, pregnancy, smoking, drug use, delinquent behaviors, criminal activity, and expectations. To access the dataset, visit the NLS Investigator page and choose "NLSY97" in the cohort selection list, then choose "Select Timings." More details can be found on the Item Nonresponse & Interview Timings documentation.

The Child/YA cohort follows the biological children of the women in the NLSY79. This release includes data from 1986 through 2016. To access public data, use the NLS Investigator.

We have released an NLSY79/NLSY97 beta dataset designed to harmonize NLS data across two cohorts, allowing users added opportunities to perform cross-cohort comparisons. Initially the dataset includes interview date, reason for noninterview, age, marital status, highest grade attended, highest grade completed, and employment status, with possible expansion to over 100 variables. Fixed background variables are also included, such as sex, race, and AFQT score. See Appendix 13: Cross-Cohort NLSY79/97 Overview for more information.

The NLSY79 follows the lives of a sample of Americans born between 1957-1964. The new release contains 27 rounds of data and is available to the public through the NLS Investigator.

Vist the video tutorials page to help you access and use our NLS datasets. Topics include:

• Introduction to the NLS Investigator
• Getting Started: Investigator Interface
• Variable Search
• How to Import NLS Data into Statistical Software

Need some quick info about the NLS to hand out in your classroom or give to a colleague? Visit the NLS Brochures and Data Briefs page to access to download PDFs. The NLS brochures cover a variety of topics for all cohorts, while the data briefs are more specific to the NLSY79 Child & Young Adult datasets.