The NLS Investigator contains the most recent release of each NLS cohort. Known problems with the release of the NLSY79 are found below. Corrections have been made to items noted in the Errata of prior releases. For further questions, please contact NLS User Services.
Important note: NLSY urban/rural residence variable
Users are cautioned that we have discovered an error in the NLSY urban/rural residence variable. This error affects variables in the following rounds:
- NLSY79: rounds 21-22 (2004-2006)
- NLSY79 young adult: rounds 21-22 (2004-2006)
The NLSY97 urban/rural variables for rounds 8-11 will be corrected on the next public data release, scheduled for July 2010. The revised NLSY79 urban/rural variables will be released on this errata page as soon as they are created. We suggest that researchers using this variable obtain the revised data before concluding their research.
The error stems from a change in the Census Bureau's definition of an urban area. The 1990 Census criteria used in creating the NLSY urban/rural residence variable used the population of a place to determine the correct classification. People who lived in urbanized areas or places with a population of 2,500 or more were considered urban; everyone else was rural. The 2000 Census criteria changed the method of determining whether a particular point was urban or rural to one that relied on population density within an area. Areas of higher population density are called Urbanized Areas (UA) and Urban Clusters (UC). Residence in either is now considered urban.
From 2003 (the first year the new definition could be implemented), the NLS geocoders used a hybrid approach that considered respondents living in either an Urbanized Area (but NOT an Urban Cluster) or a place with a population of 2,500 or more to be urban. Otherwise the code is rural. A preliminary estimate of the differences between using this hybrid code and the 2000 Census definition indicates that 6% to 7% of respondents may be affected. For more information, visit the Census Bureau's website for an explanation of the differences between the 1990 and 2000 definitions.
Data Errors
1) Missing code on 2006 gender identification variable
The 2006 variable T09676.00 SEX OF R was inadvertently assigned a '-4' code (valid missing) for respondent 11834. The correct code is '2' (female). This will be corrected with the next release.
Note: The definitive gender identification item is the 1979 variable R02148.00 SEX OF R.
This is the identification by which respondents were originally sampled and weighted. Use this variable to assign gender for all respondents in the NLSY79. All other gender identification variables are either:
- based on interviewer observation at later survey dates, or;
- based on R02148.00 and used for survey function or to control skip patterns
(many of these will not contain data for all respondents, or even all respondents in a given survey year)
2) Obsolete Occupation Codes Incorrectly Included in 2004 Release
Users should be aware that variables released under the 2004 qnames EMPLOYER_OCCODE.## - OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT) JOB ### - (R84690.00-R84701.00) should not be used as the current occupation codes for 2004 employers. These variables contain obsolete 1970 census codes that were used for purely mechanical purposes during the administration of the 2004 survey.
The correct variables to use for current occupation codes for 2004 employers are qnames OCCALL-EMP.## - OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) JOB ### - (R78980.00-R78984.00).
3) Incorrect Data for Previous Employer Numbers in 2002 and 2004
The following 2002 and 2004 variables have incorrect data for the employer number in previous survey year.
R71789.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 01
R71790.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 02
R71791.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 03
R71792.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 04
R71793.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 05
R78646.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 01
R78647.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 02
R78648.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 03
R78649.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 04
R78650.00 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES, JOB 05
This error is present in releases of 2002, 2004 and the current 2006 NLSY79 data. Corrected data will be included in the next data release.
4) Missing flag for 2006 Retirement Expectations module
The 2006 (round 22) survey included an experimental two-part module on Retirement Expectations. 1000 eligible respondents were selected for administration of this module. The variable indicating which respondents were flagged for this module was inadvertently left out of the NLSY79 1979-2006 data releases. It will be included in subsequent data releases. To create the flag using existing data, use the following logic:
- if (T02794.00 > -4) then retire_exp_flag = 1;
- else retire_exp_flag = 0;
5) Various assets variables missing from current data release
A number of variables in the asset series for several years were inadvertently left out of the currently posted NLSY79 1979-2006 data. They are as follows:
1985 variables
R17943.20 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R17943.21 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1986 variables
R21542.02 AMOUNT OF MORTGAGES & BACK TAXES R/SPOUSE OWE ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
R21545.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
R21559.20 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R21559.21 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1987 variables
R2364520 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R2364521 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1988 variables
R2737820 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R2737821 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1989 variables
R2985620 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R2985621 TOTAL AMOUNT OF OTHER DEBTS OVER $500 R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1994 variables
R50491.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF DEBTS ON FARM/BUSINESS/OTHER PROPERTY R/SPOUSE OWE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
1996 variables
R57292.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R57305.01 TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING AUTOMOBILES R/SPOUSE OWN (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R57307.01 TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF ALL OTHER ASSETS EACH WORTH MORE THAN $500 (TRUNC) (REVISED)
These variables will be included in the next NLSY79 data release.
assets_msng_csv.dat
assets_msng_square.dat
assets_msng_csv.sas
assets_msng_square.sas
6) Missing Mother Supplement Matrix in 2006
A set of matrix questions was inadvertently omitted from the most recent NLSY79 data release (April 2008). The items are listed below. They will be included in subsequent data postings.
bkgn_46a_f.dat
bkgn_46a_f.sas
bkgn_46a_f.sps
T10367.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 HEALTH
T10367.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 FRIENDSHIPS
T10367.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10367.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10367.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10367.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 01 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10368.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 HEALTH
T10368.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 FRIENDSHIPS
T10368.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10368.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10368.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10368.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 02 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10369.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 HEALTH
T10369.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 FRIENDSHIPS
T10369.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10369.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10369.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10369.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 03 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10370.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 HEALTH
T10370.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 FRIENDSHIPS
T10370.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10370.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10370.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10370.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 04 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10371.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 HEALTH
T10371.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 FRIENDSHIPS
T10371.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10371.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10371.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10371.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 05 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10372.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 HEALTH
T10372.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 FRIENDSHIPS
T10372.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10372.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10372.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10372.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 06 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10373.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 HEALTH
T10373.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 FRIENDSHIPS
T10373.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10373.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10373.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10373.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 07 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
T10374.00 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 HEALTH
T10374.01 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 FRIENDSHIPS
T10374.02 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 RELATIONSHIP WITH HER
T10374.03 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 FEELINGS ABOUT HIM/HERSELF
T10374.04 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 FUTURE PROSPECTS
T10374.05 CHILD BACKGROUND: MOTHER RATING OF CHILD 08 RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS
7) Non-standard Codes for CESD Variables in 40+ Health Module
The 2006 CESD items in the 40+ Health Module contain non-standard "8" and "9" codes instead of the standard "-2" and "-1" NLSY79 non-response codes. Users should recode the "8" codes to "-2" (Don\'t Know), and recode the "9" codes to "-1" (Refuse). These are temporary codes used during the survey and will be corrected with the next NLSY79 data update.
H00003.00 H40-CESD-1A CESD - POOR APPETITE
H00004.00 H40-CESD-1A_1 CESD - COULD NOT SHAKE BLUES
H00005.00 H40-CESD-1B CESD - TROUBLE KEEPING MIND ON TASKS
H00006.00 H40-CESD-1C CESD - DEPRESSED
H00007.00 H40-CESD-1D CESD - EVERYTHING TOOK EXTRA EFFORT
H00008.00 H40-CESD-1E CESD - RESTLESS SLEEP
H00009.00 H40-CESD-1E_1 CESD - FELT LONELY
H00010.00 H40-CESD-1F CESD - SAD
H00011.00 H40-CESD-1G CESD - COULD NOT GET GOING
8) Error in revised income variables
Revised versions of some income variables were added to the NLSY79 1979-2006 data release. It has come to our attention that valid '0' values in these variables were inadvertently recoded to '-3' values (invalid missing). The variables potentially affected are listed below. The error will be fixed in subsequent data postings.
Revised_TopcodedIncome_out.dat.dat (a space-delimited ascii data file, sorted by identification number)
SASCodeToReadRevisedIncomeFile.sas (a SAS program to read the space-delimited ascii data file)
R07821.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R07824.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R07843.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R07846.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R10240.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R10243.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R10262.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R10265.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R14107.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R14110.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R14129.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R14132.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R17785.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R17788.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R17807.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R17810.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R21416.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R21419.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R21438.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)(REVISED)
R21441.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R23503.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R23506.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R23525.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R23528.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R27225.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R27228.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (REVISED) (TRUNC)
R27247.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R27250.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29714.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29717.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29736.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29739.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32794.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32797.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32816.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32819.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32922.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32925.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35590.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35593.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35612.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35615.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35718.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R35721.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R38971.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R38974.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R38993.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R38996.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R39099.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R39102.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R42951.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R42955.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43144.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR(TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43149.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR(TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43908.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43913.01 TOTAL INCOME OF PARTNER FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R49828.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R49832.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R49960.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R49966.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R56262.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R56266.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R56508.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R56514.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R63646.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R63650.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R63749.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R63753.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R69097.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R69111.01 TOTAL INCOME FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R69178.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM WAGES AND SALARY IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R69192.01 TOTAL INCOME OF SPOUSE FROM FARM OR BUSINESS IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC) (REVISED)
Documentation Errors
1) Incorrect Titles and Survey Years for New Assets Variables
The following variables were added for the April 2008 NLSY79 release and have incorrect variable and short/SAS titles. The 1985 variables also had an erroneous survey year assigned. The corrected variable titles are also listed below. The short/SAS titles have been revised accordingly. All revisions will appear in future data releases.
Variables with incorrect titles
1985 variables (These variables also were incorrectly assigned a survey year of 1987.)
R17914.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R17914.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1988 Variables
R27360.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R27360.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1989 Variables
R29835.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29835.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1990 Variables
R32939.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32939.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1992 Variables
R39116.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R39116.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1993 Variables
R43930.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43930.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE CDS, LOANS, MORTG OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
Corrected variable titles
1985 variables
R17914.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R17914.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1988 Variables
R27360.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R27360.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1989 Variables
R29835.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R29835.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1990 Variables
R32939.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R32939.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1992 Variables
R39116.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R39116.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
1993 Variables
R43930.01 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (REVISED)
R43930.02 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ASSETS LIKE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF R/SPOUSE (TRUNC) (IMPUTED)
2) Erroneous comment notes on 2006 Industry and Occupation variables
The 2006 occupation and industry variables (see below) contain notes that erroneously refer to 1970 occupation and industry coding schemes. The correct coding schemes are based on coding schemes established in 2000 and revised since that time. The incorrect and corrected notes are listed below.
The following incorrect comment appears in codeblocks for the variables listed below:
COMMENT: 1970 CENSUS CODE FOR BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY - EMPLOYER
T01379.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01380.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01381.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01382.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01383.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
The following incorrect comment appears in codeblocks for the variables listed below:
COMMENT: 1970 CENSUS CODE FOR OCCUPATION - EMPLOYER
T01384.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01385.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01386.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01387.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01388.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
The corrected comment notes are respectively as follows:
COMMENT: 2000 CENSUS CODE FOR BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY - EMPLOYER (UPDATED IN 2002)
COMMENT: 2000 CENSUS CODE FOR OCCUPATION - EMPLOYER (UPDATED IN 2002)
3) Erroneous titles on 2006 Industry and Occupation variables
The titles for the 2006 occupation and industry variables (see below) contain incorrect references to the Census 3-digit coding frame formerly used. The incorrect and corrected titles are listed below.
The following are incorrect titles the variables listed below:
T01379.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01380.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01381.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01382.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01383.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
T01384.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01385.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01386.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01387.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01388.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
The corrected titles for these variables are listed below:
T01379.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 NAICS-BASED CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01380.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 NAICS-BASED CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01381.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 NAICS-BASED CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01382.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 NAICS-BASED CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01383.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 NAICS-BASED CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
T01384.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01
T01385.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #02
T01386.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #03
T01387.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #04
T01388.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 4 DIGIT, 00 CODES) (ALL) JOB #05
Additional Data Files
1) The family unit variables for round 19 (survey year 2000) were omitted from the area of interest HOUSEHOLD RECORD. These variables will be merged in the next release of the NLSY79.
2) A special child care supplement was administered in 1989 to a subset of 347 NLSY79 mothers. These data were used to gauge likely responses and arrangements.
Uncorrectable Data Errors
1) Missing Occupation, Industry and Class of Worker in 1994 data items
The occupation, industry and class of worker information for 353 CPS employers were not collected during the 1994 interview. These CPS employers were either less than 9 weeks in duration since the last interview, or were employers for whom the respondent worked less than 10 hours per week. They were erroneously treated as other non-CPS employers with those characteristics, for which occupation, industry and class of worker information is not collected. For those employers that were also reported in the previous survey year, and for which the respondent confirmed that his/her occupation did not change since the previous survey year, the occupation, industry and class of worker codes from the previous survey year should also apply. Users may also data subsequent survey years in a similar manner to attempt to fill in more of this information.
This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.
2) Missing information on Union Affiliation/Collective Bargaining in 1994 data items
Due to an error in the questionnaire, information on union affiliation and collective bargaining on a number of employers was not collected. Respondents reporting a non-self-employed job should have answered these questions. This error affects employer #1 (generally the CPS employer) for 3,210 respondents of the 7141 respondents who should have been asked, employer #2 for 531 of the 2215 respondents who should have been asked, employer #3 for 128 of the 606 who should have been asked, employer #4 for 34 of 168 who should have been asked and employer #5 for 6 of 48 who should have been asked. This is 45% missing for employer #1, 24% missing for employer #2, 21% missing for employer #3, 20% missing for employer #4 and 13% missing for employer #5.
Conversely, information on union affiliation and collective bargaining was collected on a number of self-employed respondents, for whom these questions should not have been asked. This error affects employer #1 for 166 cases, employer #2 for 45 cases, and employers #3, #4 and #5 for 1 case each. This information for self-employed respondents (those with a code of "4" for class of worker) should be disregarded.
This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.
3) 2 missing cases in 1994 data items
Due to probable machine glitches, the data from two (2) apparently completed interviews was rendered inaccessible. 1994 variables for cases #5078 and #10524 are missing. Any 1994 data items remaining for these cases is meaningless and should be discarded for purposes of analysis. The 1996 interview period for these cases spanned from the 1993 to the 1996 interview. Information that would have been collected at the 1994 interview is thus now included in the data for the 1996 survey year.
This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.
Documentation
The Stata .DO files contain value labels and have been found incorrect. These files are correct on the 2008 geocode release. Please contact NLS User Services for either the updated 2006 files or to update to the 2008 release. (Added 10/2010).