NLSY79

Errata for 1979-2002 Data Release

Data errors

Errors in 1998 Total Net Family Income and Poverty Status variables

Replacement for R64787. (TOTAL NET FAMILY INCOME IN 1997 1998)
Replacement for R64788. (FAMILY POVERTY STATUS IN 1997 1998)

The Total Net Family Income in 1997, released for the 1998 survey (TNFI98) contained a programming error. This error affected TNFI98 for roughly 890 people, and Family Poverty Status in 1997 for roughly 360.

In computing Total Net Family Income in 1997 (TNFI98), a consolidated yearly amount was used for each type of program receipt. In contrast, computations of TNFI for previous rounds used a weekly or monthly receipt amount, along with a multiplier by number of weeks or months received during the calendar year. Although the yearly amounts were incorporated into the TNFI98 program, the multipliers for the number of weeks/months received were not taken out. Therefore, the TNFI98 for many of those receiving unemployment, AFDC/TANF, Food Stamps or SSI is inflated to varying degrees.

The incorrect variables are present on both the current All-Cohort CD and the NLSY79 Geocode CD. They will be corrected on the next All-Cohort CD (due in Fall 2005) and NLSY79 Geocode CD (due in Spring 2006).

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.

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.

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

2002 industry and occupation variables mislabeled

User notes on the following variables incorrectly stated that 1970 codes were used. Updated 2000 Census Industry and Occupational Classification codes were actually used for these variables.

R72091.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #01
R72092.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #02
R72093.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #03
R72094.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #04
R72095.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #05
R72096.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #01
R72097.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #02
R72098.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #03
R72099.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #04
R72100.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 00 CODES)(ALL) JOB #05

These notes will be corrected on the next All-Cohort cd (due in Fall 2005) and NLSY79 Geocode cd (due in Spring 2006).

Misspelling in R17744.00 title

The 1985 variable R17744.00 - SOCIALABILITY PERSONALITY TRAIT AT ADULTHOOD - contains a misspelling. The word "SOCIALABILITY" has been changed to "SOCIABILITY".

The corrected title will appear on the next All-Cohort cd (due in Fall 2005) and NLSY79 Geocode cd (due in Spring 2006).

Read more about Errata for 1979-2002 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2004 Data Release

New variable

NLS Program staff has created another version of the AFQT variables (Armed Forces Qualifying Test) called ASVAB_MATH_VERBAL_SCORE_PCT. This composite variable uses the scores from the ASVAB administered to the NLSY79 in the summer of 1980. This variable will be merged into the Mainfile data set with the 1979-2008 release, expected in Spring, 2008.

Data errors

Missing value codes for 40+ Health Module variables

For a number of 40+ Health Module variables, the values for refusal and don't know are not coded correctly. These codes are reflected in the data, but not in the codebook page for these variables. Users should recode the "9" values to "-1" (refused) and the "8" values to "-2" (don't know) for the 40+ Health Module variables listed below. These values will be recoded in the next NLSY79 data release scheduled for Spring 2008.

H00003.00 CESD - POOR APPETITE
H00004.00 CESD - COULD NOT SHAKE BLUES
H00005.00 CESD - TROUBLE KEEPING MIND ON TASKS
H00006.00 CESD - DEPRESSED
H00007.00 CESD - EVERYTHING TOOK EXTRA EFFORT
H00008.00 CESD - RESTLESS SLEEP
H00009.00 CESD - FELT LONELY
H00010.00 CESD - SAD
H00011.00 CESD - COULD NOT GET GOING
H00076.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - ASTHMA
H00077.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - BACK PROBLEMS
H00078.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - PROBLEMS WITH FEET AND LEGS
H00079.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - KIDNEY OR BLADDER PROBLEMS
H00080.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - STOMACH OR INTESTINAL ULCERS
H00081.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - HIGH CHOLESTEROL
H00082.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - CHEST PAIN/PRESSURE, HEART PALPITATIONS, HEART TROUBLE
H00083.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
H00084.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - FREQUENT COLDS, SINUS PROBLEMS, HAY FEVER OR ALLERGIES
H00085.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - FREQ INDIGSTN, STOMACH, LIVER/INTESTL, GALLBLADDER PROBS
H00086.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - DEPRESSION, EXCESSIVE WORRY OR NERVOUS TROUBLE
H00087.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - JT SWEL/PAIN, LEG CRAMPS, BURSITIS (NOT ARTHRITIS/RHEUM)
H00088.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - LAMENESS OR PARALYSIS (INCLUDING POLIO)
H00090.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - SCARLET OR RHEUMATIC FEVER, TB, JAUNDICE, HEPATITIS
H00091.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - FREQ OR SEVERE HEADACHES, DIZZINESS OR FAINTING SPELLS
H00092.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - EYE TROUBLE (NOT GLASSES/CONTACTS)
H00093.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - EAR, NOSE OR THROAT TROUBLE
H00094.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - SEVERE TOOTH OR GUM TROUBLE
H00095.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - SKIN DISEASES
H00096.00 CCR - HEALTH PROBLEMS - THYROID TROUBLE OR GOITER

Incorrect codes for 1993 Job 4 and Job 5

Incorrect codes were used in the variables for 1993 Job 4 industry, occupation, class of worker and Job 5 industry and occupation. These variables will be corrected with the next release of the NLSY79. The affected variables are:

R42209.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT) JOB # 4 JOB #4
R42210.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT) JOB # 4 JOB #4
R42211.00 CLASS OF WORKER JOB # 4 JOB #4
R42283.00 OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT) JOB # 5 JOB #5
R42284.00 TYPE OF BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY (CENSUS 3 DIGIT) JOB # 5 JOB #5

Uncorrectable data errors

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Documentation

Incorrect value labels for 2002 and 2004 SMSA residence variables

R77063.00 and R84987.00 (IS R'S CURRENT RESIDENCE IN SMSA for 2002 and 2004 respectively) have incorrect labels for the values '3' and "4". The labels for those values should be reversed.

The current value labels read:

NOT IN SMSA
SMSA, NOT CENTRAL CITY

SMSA, CENTRAL CITY NOT KNOWN
SMSA, IN CENTRAL CITY

The correct value labels should read:

NOT IN SMSA
SMSA, NOT CENTRAL CITY

SMSA, IN CENTRAL CITY
SMSA, CENTRAL CITY NOT KNOWN

Read more about Errata for 1979-2004 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2006 Data Release

User 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

Missing code on 2006 sex 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 sex 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 sex for all respondents in the NLSY79. All other sex 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)

Obsolete occupation codes incorrectly included in 2004 release

Users should be aware that variables released under the 2004 question names 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).

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.

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;

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

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 HE
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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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.
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

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

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).

Read more about Errata for 1979-2006 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2008 Data Release

Errata for NLSY79 1979-2008 Mainfile and Work History release

Posted May 2010

User 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)

Erroneous promotion/position change years for 1996

The years reported for promotions/position changes for each employer in survey year 1996 (round 17) are incorrect. The correct data will be included in the next data release. The affected variables are listed below.

Reference Number	Variable Title	Question Name
R52874.02	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #01	QES1-PROMO40~Y
R53270.02	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #02	QES2-PROMO40~Y
R53654.02	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #03	QES3-PROMO40~Y
R54020.02	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #04	QES4-PROMO40~Y
R54359.02	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #05	QES5-PROMO40~Y

The day portion of the date should not be present and does not contain valid data. Only the month and year of the date should be used. These variables will be eliminated from the next data release. The affected variables are listed below.

Reference Number	Variable Title	Question Name
R52874.00	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #01	QES1-PROMO40~D
R53270.00	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #02	QES2-PROMO40~D
R53654.00	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #03	QES3-PROMO40~D
R54020.00	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #04	QES4-PROMO40~D
R54359.00	DATE OF POSITION CHANGE JOB #05	QES5-PROMO40~D

Missing spouse occupation codes for 2006 and 2008

The occupation codes for respondent's spouses or partners are missing for survey years 2006 and 2008. The affected variables are listed below. They will be included in the next release.

For survey year 2006 (round 22):

For survey year 2008 (round 23):

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.

Missing flag for 2006 retirement expectations module

if (T02794.00 > -4) then retire_exp_flag = 1;
else retire_exp_flag = 0

Error in revised income variables

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);

Income from other sources, 1992

The variable Q13-75_TRUNC is inadvertently missing for survey year 1992. The affected variable is listed below. It will be included in the next release.

For survey year 1992 (round 14):
T39083.01 TOTAL INCOME RECEIVED BY R/SPOUSE FROM OTHER SOURCES IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR (TRUNC)

"In Jail" codes added to gap reasons for 1996-2004

In 1996, "in jail" was eliminated as a specific reason for gaps between jobs. Upon examination of the "other (specify)" responses for survey years 1996-2004, the following respondents reporting between job gaps can be assigned a code of "13" (in jail) for the specific gap listed below. CHRR staff members are in the process of examining gaps data from other survey years as well. Interested users should check back as this update notice will be appended to reflect any additional "in jail" codes that can be assigned. These "in jail" codes will be reflected in the next data release.

Incorrect values for 2008 Highest Grade Completed variables

Incorrect values were recently discovered for 383 respondents in the Highest Grade Completed (HGC) variables for 2008. These respondents have reported completing less than 12 years of education (the vast majority reporting 10 or 11 years). They were inadvertently assigned a value of "12" in the HGC variables listed below. The corrected data will be included in the next release.

Incorrect data for 1996 Year of Last Interview

The 1996 variable R57365.00 (LINTYEAR - Info Sheet - Year of Last Int) was found to have incorrect data. Corrected data will be included in the next data release. In the meantime users should use R57364.02 (LINTDATE~Y - Info Sheet - Date of Last Int) instead as a substitute. It also contains the year of last interview.

Missing 50+ Health Module scores for 2008

The 50+ Health Module in 2008 once again includes questions from the SF-12 questionnaire. Physical and mental component summary scores are computed for each eligible respondent based on responses to the SF-12 questions. These scores were inadvertently omitted from the current data release. These items will be included in the next data release. The affected variables are:

Reference Number	Variable Title	Questions Name
H00158.01	SF-12 SCORE, PHYSICAL COMPONENT SUMMARY SCORE	H50-SF12_PCS_SCORE
H00158.02	SF-12 SCORE, MENTAL COMPONENT SUMMARY SCORE	H50-SF12_MCS_SCORE

Erroneous State and County FIPS code combinations for multiple survey years

A relatively small number of erroneous state and county FIPS code combinations have been discovered for survey years 1982-1986, 1993 and 1994. Users who have restricted-use Geocode file approval can obtain the reference numbers for affected variables, as well as the incorrect and correct state/county FIPS combinations for the appropriate survey years by contacting NLS User Services.

Corrections will be made on future NLSY79 Geocode releases.

Interviewer identification number missing for 2004

The Interviewer Id variable for 2004 that is part of the created Interviewer Characteristics area of interest is missing from the current data release. This omission will be corrected in the next data release.

The missing variable is as follows:

For survey year 2004 (round 21):
R84424.10 INTERVIEWER ID FROM 1996 ISIS LINK INTCHAR_INT_ID

Errors in 2008 region, urban-rural and SMSARES variables

Three variables computed from 2008 data have been found to contain errors for between 91 and 566 cases. Values for other variables were inadvertently inserted for these variables for the affected cases. The errors will be corrected in the next data release.

The relevant variables in the public release data are as follows:

For survey year 2008 (round 23):

T22103.00 REGION OF CURRENT RESIDENCE REGION (566 cases affected)
T22122.00 IS R'S CURRENT RESIDENCE URBAN/RURAL URBAN-RURAL (110 cases affected)/li>
T22123.00 IS R'S CURRENT RESIDENCE IN SMSA? SMSARES (91 cases affected)/li>

Documentation errors

Erroneous titles on 2006 industry and occupation variables

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

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

1981 question names reversed

The question names for a small set of 1981 KEY VARIABLES are reversed. The variable titles are correct. In addition, R06459.00 is missing the KEY VARIABLES area of interest assignment. The question names will be corrected and the area of interest assignment added with the next data release. The affected variables are:

The following are incorrect titles the variables listed below:

Reference Number	Current (INCORRECT) Question Name	Correct Question Name
R06458.00	WKSWK-PCY	WKSWK-SLI
R06458.01	WKSUNACCT-PCY	WKSUNACCT-SLI
R06459.00	WKSUEMP-PCY	WKSUEMP-SLI
R06460.00	WKSOLF-PCY	WKSOLF-SLI
R06463.00	WKSWK-SLI	WKSWK-PCY
R06463.01	WKSUNACCT-SLI	WKSUNACCT-PCY
R06464.00	WKSUEMP-SLI	WKSUEMP-PCY
R06465.00	WKSOLF-SLI	WKSOLF-PCY

Ranges not updated for Work History Array variables

Users should be aware that the ranges for variables in the Work History STATUS and DUALJOBS arrays have not been updated to reflect frequencies for job numbers reported in survey year 2008 (round 23). The affected variables can be found in areas of interest WORK HISTORY - WEEKLY LABOR STATUS and WORK HISTORY - DUAL JOBS. The vast majority of cases affected will be reflected in the variables representing weeks between 2006 and 2008 (the normal survey interval for 2008). However, in instances in which respondents were interviewed in 2008 after having skipped interviews, job numbers reported in r23 may be missing from the codebook frequencies further back in the arrays.

This problem affects codebook documentation frequencies only. Data for these jobs is present and is represented in data extracts. Round 23 job numbers (if any were reported for a specific week), can also be detected by looking at the min/max numbers on the codebook page.

The appropriate range updates will be reflected in the next data posting.

981 Employment Status Recode

The title and SAS title for the 1981 Employment Status Recode, found in area of interest KEY VARIABLES is missing. Current file extractions from Investigator fill in the missing fields with the contents of the text field. This will be corrected in the next data release. The correct title for the affected variable is as follows:

Question Name	Reference Number	Variable Title	SAS Title
ESR_KEY	R06881.00	EMPLOYMENT STATUS RECODE	EMPLOYMENT STATUS RECODE 81

Additional data files

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

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2008 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2010 Data Release

Newest errata

Incorrect data for 1980 and 1989 class of worker variables in NLSY79 Employment History roster

Posted 8/1/2014

A typo occurred that caused incorrect data for Class of Worker variables for 1980 and 1989. These corrections will be present in the next public data release.

NLSY79 errata and user notes for NLSY79 1979-2010 Mainfile and Work History release

Posted March 2012

Data correction for 2010 foreclosure question, posted March 2012

Data for one of the 2010 questions related to foreclosures has been found to be missing a large number of cases, and was released under an incorrect question name. Data for the missing cases was collected under another question name. The data for the missing cases was inadvertently not combined and included in the release. The affected variable in the currently posted data is:

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T30962.00

FORECLOSEURE8

The corrected data item will be included the next time the data is posted, with the same reference number, but under the question name "FORECLOSURE-2".

The appropriate universe for FORECLOSURE-3 is as follows:

Respondent/spouse/partner does not currently own the house in which the respondent lives, or the respondent doesn't know, or refuses to answer ("No/0", "Refused/-1" or "Don't Know/-2" response to FORECLOSURE-2).

The appropriate universe for FORECLOSURE-4 is as follows:

Respondent/spouse/partner currently owns the house in which the respondent lives ("Yes/1" response to FORECLOSURE-2), or;
Respondent/spouse/partner has owned a house in which respondent was living at some time between January 2007 and the interview date ("Yes/1" to FORECLOSURE-3).

The skip patterns for FORECLOSURE-2 are as follows:

If Respondent/spouse/partner currently own the house in which the respondent is living, then respondent goes to FORECLOSURE-4 (FORECLOSURE-2 = "Yes/1", go to FORECLOSURE-4)
If Respondent/spouse/partner does not currently own the house in which the respondent is living, then respondent goes to FORECLOSURE-3 (FORECLOSURE-2 = "No/0", go to FORECLOSURE-3)
If Respondent refuses to answer FORECLOSURE-2 or does not know the answer to FORECLOSURE-2, then respondent goes to FORECLOSURE-3 (FORECLOSURE-2 = "Refused/-1" or "Don't Know/-2", go to FORECLOSURE-3)

General health questions missing for 2010, posted April 2012

Data for several of the 2010 questions on respondents' general health behaviors was found to be missing from the currently posted data. The variables in question are listed below. These variables will be included the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T30249.01 Q11-GENHLTH_1A_1 FREQUENCY R ENGAGES IN VIGOROUS ACTIVITIES FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES
T30251.01 Q11-GENHLTH_1C_1 LENGTH OF TIME OF VIGOROUS ACTIVITIES EACH TIME
T30252.01 Q11-GENHLTH_2A_1 FREQUENCY R ENGAGES IN LIGHT OR MODERATE ACTIVITIES FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES
T30254.01 Q11-GENHLTH_2C_1 LENGTH OF TIME OF LIGHT OR MODERATE ACTIVITIES EACH TIME
T30255.01 Q11-GENHLTH_3A_1 FREQUENCY R ENGAGES IN STRENGTH TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES
T31509.## Q11-CARE-2~###### HOUSEHOLD MEMBER(S) DISABLED OR CHRONICALLY ILL

Data error - 2010 training variables missing, posted April 2012

Data for several 2010 questions related to Other Training are missing from the current version of the NLSY79 1979-2010 data base. The variables missing variables are listed below. These variables will be included the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T3150000 EMP FAM GOVT PAY DLI TRN COST L1 2010 Q8-21_D.01
T3150100 EMP FAM GOVT PAY DLI TRN COST L2 2010 Q8-21_D.02
T3150200 EMP FAM GOVT PAY DLI TRN COST L3 2010 Q8-21_D.03
T3150300 EMP FAM GOVT PAY DLI TRN COST L4 2010 Q8-21_D.04
T3150500 EMP FAM GOVT NOT PAY SDLI TRN L1 2010 Q8-21_D_1.01
T3150600 EMP FAM GOVT NOT PAY SDLI TRN L2 2010 Q8-21_D_1.02
T3150700 EMP FAM GOVT NOT PAY SDLI TRN L3 2010 Q8-21_D_1.03
T3150800 EMP FAM GOVT NOT PAY SDLI TRN L4 2010 Q8-21_D_1.04

Tenure for employer #3 in 2010 missing, posted May 2012

The job tenure variable for employer #3 in 2010 was found to be missing from the currently posted data. The variable in question is listed below. This variable will be included the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T31066.00 TENURE3 TOTAL TENURE (IN WEEKS) WITH EMPLOYER AS OF INTERVIEW DATE JOB #03

Business ownership quality of match variables missing, posted August 2012

Variables reflecting the quality of match between businesses respondents have ever owned, and their past list of employers have been found to be missing from the 1979-2010 release. These variables will be included in future data postings.

The affected variables are:

T31511.00 QUALITY OF MATCH OF BUSINESS 1 WITH PAST EMPLOYERS REPORTED BUSOWN-MATCH-QUAL.01
T31512.00 QUALITY OF MATCH OF BUSINESS 2 WITH PAST EMPLOYERS REPORTED BUSOWN-MATCH-QUAL.02
T31513.00 QUALITY OF MATCH OF BUSINESS 3 WITH PAST EMPLOYERS REPORTED BUSOWN-MATCH-QUAL.03
T31514.00 QUALITY OF MATCH OF BUSINESS 4 WITH PAST EMPLOYERS REPORTED BUSOWN-MATCH-QUAL.04
T31515.00 QUALITY OF MATCH OF BUSINESS 5 WITH PAST EMPLOYERS REPORTED BUSOWN-MATCH-QUAL.05

Class of worker variables missing for 2010, posted November 2012

Data for the Class of Worker variables for 2010 were found to be missing from the currently posted data. The variables are listed below. These variables will be included the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

R00001.00 CASEID (PUBLIC IDENTIFICATION CODE) PUBLIC_ID
T31865.00 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
T31866.00 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
T31867.00 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
T31868.00 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #04 COWALL-EMP.04
T31869.00 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #05 COWALL-EMP.05

Previous employer number variables missing for 2010, posted November 2012

Data for the Employer Number in Previous Survey Year variables for 2010 were found to be missing from the currently posted data. The variables are listed below. These variables will be included the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

R00001.00 CASEID (PUBLIC IDENTIFICATION CODE) PUBLIC_ID
T31870.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #01 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.01
T31871.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #02 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.02
T31872.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #03 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.03
T31873.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #04 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.04
T31874.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #05 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.05
T31875.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #06 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.06
T31876.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #07 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.07
T31877.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #08 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.08
T31878.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #09 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.09
T31879.00 2010 EMPLOYER NUMBER FROM PREVIOUS SURVEY YEAR THAT MATCHES JOB #10 EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.10

Job information questions missing for 2010, posted November 2012

Data for several series of questions in the On Employers section of the 2010 questionnaire, which verifies the sequence and type of employers for the current survey period, were found to be missing from the currently posted data. The variables are listed below. These variables will be included the next time the data is posted.

XRND Month Began 1^st Marriage corrections

R99087.00 MONTH BEGAN 1^ST MARRIAGE (MOBG1M) contains incorrect data for 17 cases. These values inadvertently had the value 1900 added to them, as if they were two-digit year values.

Users can correct the values for these 17 cases by subtracting 1900 from all values greater than 12, using the following logic.

if (R9908700 > 12) then R9908700 = (R9908700 - 1900)

1998 Work limitation function and value labels incorrect

An error has been identified in a skip pattern in the 1998 (round 18) survey data. In addition, the codes in the codeblock for a 1998 variable are mislabeled.

In survey years before and after 1998, an interviewer check or machine function determines if the respondent is currently working (question Q11-2 before 1998/question Q11-1B in 1998 and after). If the respondent is not currently working, the respondent is asked if s/he has a limitation that would keep him/her from working for pay (question name Q11-3). If the respondent is currently working, Q11-3 is not asked.

In the 1998 survey, the function in Q11-1B (R63435.00) executed incorrectly. Respondents who are working are asked if they had any limitations that would keep them from working for pay (Q11-3/R63436.00), and those who are not working are not asked. In addition, the coding labels in the codeblock for Q11-1B/R63435.00 are reversed. The correct labels are listed below.

In the two subsequent questions in the series (questions Q11-4/R63437.00 and Q11-5/R63438.00), respondents are asked if they have any limitations that would limit the kind or amount (respectively) of work they could do. For respondents who were improperly skipped over Q11-3/R63436.00, one could infer that a respondent answering 'no' to Q11-4/R63437.00 and Q11-5/R63438.00 would also have answered 'no' to Q11-3/R63436.00. For respondents reporting no limitations on the kind and amount of work they can do, one could reasonably infer there is also no limitation preventing any work for pay in general.

One cannot necessarily make the opposite inference of a 'yes' response to Q11-3/R63436.00 for respondents answering 'yes' to limitations on the kind/amount of of work they can do (Q11-4/R63437.00 and/or Q11-5/R63438.00). The fact that a respondent has a limitation on either kind or amount (or both) of work s/he can do does not necessarily imply a limitation that prevents any work for pay.

Listed below are:

the 1998 variables referenced in the discussion above;
the incorrect and corrected value labels in the codeblocks for R63435.00 in 1998

The reversed value labels in the codeblock for R63435.00 will be corrected with the next data release. There is no correction available for the skip error. However, examination of data from the surrounding rounds of data may shed some light on the information missing due to the error as well. An example of the correct skip pattern can be seen by looking at the same question names for survey year 2000 and beyond.

R18 (1998) variables referenced above: An error in the function at R63435.00 caused the incorrect group of respondents to be asked R63436.00.

R63435.00 Q11-1B 1998 WAS R WORKING IN WEEK BEFORE SURVEY WEEK?
R63436.00 Q11-3 1998 WOULD HEALTH PREVENT WORKING AT A JOB FOR PAY NOW?
R63437.00 Q11-4 1998 DOES HEALTH LIMIT KIND OF WORK R CAN DO?
R63438.00 Q11-5 1998 DOES HEALTH LIMIT AMOUNT OF WORK R CAN DO?

In addition, the labels for the codes in the codeblock for R63435.00 in 1998 are incorrect.

The CURRENT codeblock is as follows:
R63435.00 Q11-1B 1998 WAS R WORKING IN WEEK BEFORE SURVEY WEEK?
WAS R WORKING IN WEEK BEFORE SURVEY WEEK?
    1683      1 CONDITION APPLIES (Go To R63437.00)
    6708      0 CONDITION DOES NOT APPLY 
   -------
    8391
     
The CORRECT codeblock is as follows:
R63435.00  Q11-1B   1998  WAS R WORKING IN WEEK BEFORE SURVEY WEEK?
WAS R WORKING IN WEEK BEFORE SURVEY WEEK?
    6708       1 CONDITION APPLIES
    1683       0 CONDITION DOES NOT APPLY   (Go To R63437.00)
    -------
    8391

Class of worker variables for 2010 missing from Beta Employer History Data, posted August 2013

The Class of Worker variables collected in 2010 for each applicable employer were inadvertently omitted from the recently released beta version of the Employer History roster data. Reference numbers for these variables are E80501.00 - E80556.00.

These omissions will be corrected the next time the data is posted.

Users wishing to merge these variables with other data should note that the public identification number (R00001.00) can be found at the end of the data files in the *.zip file.

"0" codes for class of worker variables recoded, posted February 2014

In the current public data release, between survey years 1998 and 2010, a number of Class of Worker variables contain undocumented "0" codes. Most of these "0" codes were the result of a default value not being assigned the appropriate valid missing code ("-4") in the public data release. A smaller subset of the "0" codes appear to be invalidly missing and should be assigned a code of "-3". These corrections will be present in the next public data release. In addition, CHRR is investigating these codes to determine if any of them can be assigned a definitive code.

R64731.00 1998 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
R64733.00 1998 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
R65923.00 2000 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
R65924.00 2000 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
R65925.00 2000 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
R65926.00 2000 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #04 COWALL-EMP.04
R65927.00 2000 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #05 COWALL-EMP.05
R72101.00 2002 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
R72102.00 2002 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
R72103.00 2002 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
R72104.00 2002 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #04 COWALL-EMP.04
R72105.00 2002 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #05 COWALL-EMP.05
R78985.00 2004 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
R78986.00 2004 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
R78987.00 2004 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
R78988.00 2004 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #04 COWALL-EMP.04
R78989.00 2004 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #05 COWALL-EMP.05
T10375.00 2006 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP_REVISED.01
T10376.00 2006 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP_REVISED.02
T10377.00 2006 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP_REVISED.03
T10378.00 2006 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #04 COWALL-EMP_REVISED.04
T10379.00 2006 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #05 COWALL-EMP_REVISED.05
T12985.00 2008 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
T12986.00 2008 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
T12987.00 2008 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03
T31865.00 2010 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #01 COWALL-EMP.01
T31866.00 2010 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #02 COWALL-EMP.02
T31867.00 2010 CLASS OF WORKER (ALL) JOB #03 COWALL-EMP.03

Data addition: Preliminary version of compiled incorporation status variables, posted May 2014

Since 1994, NLSY79 questionnaires have been collecting new industry, occupation and class of worker information only for jobs that do not have previously reported descriptions, or if the respondent says the descriptions have changed. NLSY79 data release contains computed variables called INDALL-EMP.##, OCCALL-EMP.## and COWALL-EMP.## that fill in the past industry, occupation and class of worker codes for jobs that carry over from the last interview with the same information.

The class of worker question also has additional components. Respondents working in the government are asked about the level of government. Self-employed respondents are asked whether the business is incorporated. As with the main class of worker question itself, those components are also not asked if they carry over from the previous interview. However, those components have not been compiled or filled in in the same manner that the industry, occupation and class of worker variables have been in the INDALL-EMP.##, OCCALL-EMP.## and COWALL-EMP.## variables. Users wanting to have incorporation status variables over time comparable to the COWALL-EMP variables still need to compute them.

CHRR staff has created a preliminary set of 1994-2010 incorporation status variables (INCORPALL-EMP.##) that can be used in conjunction with the compiled class of worker variables (COWALL-EMP.##) that have been created since the 1994 survey. The incorporation status variables are coded â€œ1â€ (business is incorporated) or "0" (business is unincorporated).

CHRR plans to release a final version of the compiled incorporation status and level of government with the 1979-2012 data release scheduled for Fall 2014.

These variables can be merged with other variables using the public identification number (r0000100).

Please note: The INCORPALL-EMP.## variables are filled in from past rounds as necessary (see above description). It is possible that an incorporation status for a business would have changed since it was first reported. Because the incorporation status for many continuing jobs was not updated each year, the possibility exists that a previously unincorporated business may have become incorporated or vice versa and that transition would not be reflected in the above variables.

Documentation errors

Incorrect response labels for 2008 and 2010 general health variables, posted May 2012

The response set labels for some 2008 and 2010 General Health variables are incorrect in the NLSY79 (1979-2010) data base currently posted. These labels will be corrected the next time the data is posted. The affected variables are listed below with the correct response labels.

For survey year 2008 (round 23):

T20572.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7C_2 2008 TIME UNIT EATING FAST FOOD PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T20574.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7D_2 2008 TIME UNIT EATING SNACK PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T20576.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7E_2 2008 TIME UNIT SKIPPING A MEAL IN THE PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T20578.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7F_2 2008 TIME UNIT HAVING SOFT DRINK OR SODA PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T30253.00 Q11-GENHLTH_2A_2 2010 FREQUENCY R ENGAGES IN LIGHT OR MODERATE ACTIVITIES FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES
1. Per day
2. Per week
3. Per month
4. Per year
5. Unable to do this activity
T30255.00 Q11-GENHLTH_2C_2 2010 LENGTH OF TIME OF LIGHT OR MODERATE ACTIVITIES EACH TIME
1. Minutes
2. Hours
T30256.00 Q11-GENHLTH_3A_2 2010 FREQUENCY R ENGAGES IN STRENGTH TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES
1. Per day
2. Per week
3. Per month
4. Per year
5. Unable to do this activity
T30276.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7C_2 2010 TIME UNIT EATING FAST FOOD PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T30278.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7D_2 2010 TIME UNIT EATING SNACK PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T30280.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7E_2 2010 TIME UNIT SKIPPING A MEAL IN THE PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week
T30282.00 Q11-GENHLTH_7F_2 2010 TIME UNIT HAVING SOFT DRINK OR SODA PAST 7 DAYS
1. Per day
2. Per week

2010 philanthropy titles incorrect, posted May 2012

Documentation for the 2010 questions regarding different types of volunteer activity are out of order in the NLSY79 (1979-2010) data base currently posted. The corrected titles are listed below. These titles will be corrected the next time the data is posted.

For survey year 2010 (round 24):

T24960.00 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL PHIL_2~000001
T24960.01 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - UMBRELLA ORGANIZATIONS FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSES PHIL_2~000002
T24960.02 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - HELP PEOPLE IN NEED OF FOOD, SHELTER OR CLOTHING PHIL_2~000003
T24960.03 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - HEALTH CARE OR MEDICAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION PHIL_2~000004
T24960.04 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES PHIL_2~000005
T24960.05 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - YOUTH, NEIGHBORHOOD OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PHIL_2~000006
T24960.06 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - ARTS OR CULTURE PHIL_2~000007
T24960.07 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - ENVIRONMENTAL PHIL_2~000008
T24960.08 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - INTERNATIONAL AID OR WORLD PEACE PHIL_2~000009
T24960.09 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MADE DONATIONS - OTHER TYPE PHIL_2~000010

Retirement expectation value labels incorrect, posted August 2012

Codes for the question regarding the reason that respondents and spouse attended retirement meetings are incorrect in the NLSY79 (1979-2010) data base currently posted. Only the value labels are in error. The data are correct. The affected variables and correct value labels are listed below. These changes will be reflected the next time the data is posted.

For survey years 2006, 2008 and 2010 (round 22, 23 and 24 respectively):

T09630.00 REASON SP/PA ATTENDED RETIREMENT MEETINGS 2006 RETIRE_EXP_P2_6
      15       1 attendance required by employer
      85       2 attendance was voluntary
      
T21838.00 REASON SP/PA ATTENDED RETIREMENT MEETINGS 2008 RETIRE_EXP_P2_6
     113       1 attendance required by employer
     636       2 attendance was voluntary
     
T30961.00 REASON SP/PA ATTENDED RETIREMENT MEETINGS 2010 RETIRE_EXP_P2_6
     134       1 attendance required by employer
     783       2 attendance was voluntary

Total Net Family Income 2002 comment incorrect, posted March 2013

The comment in the codeblock for R77037.00 (TOTAL NET FAMILY INCOME IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR *KEY* (TRUNC)) is incorrect in the NLSY79 (1979-2010) data base currently posted. Only the comment is in error. The affected variables and correct value labels are listed below. These will be reflected the next time the data is posted.

Current comment (incorrect): TOTAL NET FAMILY INCOME IN 2003

Corrected comment: TOTAL NET FAMILY INCOME IN 2001

Frequencies for H40+ source year missing

The frequencies for the source year variable for the 40+ Health Module are missing from the codeblock for H00002.00. Only the frequencies are missing. The data are correct. These will be reflected the next time the data is posted.

The correct frequencies for H00002.00 SOURCE YEAR FOR 40+ HEALTH MODULE DATA are:

H00002.00 SOURCE YEAR FOR 40+ HEALTH MODULE DATA
Source Year	Frequencies
1998	1328
2000	2102
2002	2158
2004	2258
2006	619

Code missing from biological parent cause of death frequencies

In the current NLSY79 data release, the label for the "Other (specify)" is missing from the frequencies for the following variables below. The data are correct, only the frequency listing is incorrect. This error will be corrected the next time the data is posted.

The correct frequencies are listed:

H00137.00      CAUSE OF R BIOLOGICAL FATHER'S DEATH      H50BPAR-2
     176       1 Heart Attack/Stroke
      13       2 Accident
     178       3 Cancer
      66       4 Old Age
      22       5 Emphysema
     185       6 Other (specify) ← Corrected frequency
  -------
     640
     
H00148.00      CAUSE OF R BIOLOGICAL MOTHER'S DEATH    H50BPAR-7
     160       1 Heart Attack/Stroke
       4       2 Accident
     190       3 Cancer
      43       4 Old Age
      28       5 Emphysema
     172       6 Other (specify) ← Corrected frequency
  -------
     597

Download the NLSY79 1979 Question by Question Specification PDF file

User note missing from PAYRATE variables

A note identifying the 2002-2010 PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.## variables as having a dollars and cents format (e.g. 2 implied decimal points) is missing from the codebook page for those items. The note at the top of the codebook pages for these variables should include the line:

ACTUAL DOLLARS AND CENTS

The variables with the affected codebook pages are listed below. The appropriate notation will be reflected the next time the data is posted.

Reference Number	Survey Year	Variable Title	Question Name
R72463.00	2002	RATE OF PAY JOB #01	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.01
R72464.00	2002	RATE OF PAY JOB #02	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.02
R72465.00	2002	RATE OF PAY JOB #03	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.03
R72466.00	2002	RATE OF PAY JOB #04	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.04
R72467.00	2002	RATE OF PAY JOB #05	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.05
R79360.00	2004	RATE OF PAY JOB #01	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.01
R79361.00	2004	RATE OF PAY JOB #02	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.02
R79362.00	2004	RATE OF PAY JOB #03	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.03
R79363.00	2004	RATE OF PAY JOB #04	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.04
R79364.00	2004	RATE OF PAY JOB #05	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.05
T01762.00	2006	RATE OF PAY JOB #01	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.01
T01763.00	2006	RATE OF PAY JOB #02	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.02
T01764.00	2006	RATE OF PAY JOB #03	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.03
T01765.00	2006	RATE OF PAY JOB #04	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.04
T01766.00	2006	RATE OF PAY JOB #05	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.05
T13337.00	2008	RATE OF PAY JOB #01	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.01
T13338.00	2008	RATE OF PAY JOB #02	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.02
T13339.00	2008	RATE OF PAY JOB #03	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.03
T13340.00	2008	RATE OF PAY JOB #04	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.04
T13341.00	2008	RATE OF PAY JOB #05	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.05
T23550.00	2010	RATE OF PAY JOB #01	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.01
T23551.00	2010	RATE OF PAY JOB #02	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.02
T23552.00	2010	RATE OF PAY JOB #03	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.03
T23553.00	2010	RATE OF PAY JOB #04	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.04
T23554.00	2010	RATE OF PAY JOB #05	PAYRATE-ALL-EMP.05

Reversed labels for 1983 fertility variable

Two value labels for the 1983 fertility variable R10658.00 (FEMALE - INT CHECK 83 - R PREGNANT AT 82 INTERVIEW?) are reversed. Currently, the labels for the "0" and "1" values are reversed. The correct value labels and frequencies are:

    5478       0 FEMALE, NOT PREGNANT AT 82 INT
     481       1 FEMALE, PREGNANT AT 82 INT
     115       2 FEMALE, NOT INTERVIEWED IN 82
  -------
    6074

These labels will be corrected when the next version of the data is posted.

Reversed Labels for 1992 alcohol use variable

Value labels for the 1992 alcohol use variable R39148.00 (DRUG USE - # OF DAYS DRANK ALCOHOL IN LAST MONTH) are reversed.

The correct value labels and frequencies are:

    1833       5 LESS OFTEN THAN ONCE PER WEEK
    2076       4 1-2 DAYS PER WEEK
     902       3 3-4 DAYS PER WEEK
     358       2 5-6 DAYS PER WEEK
     174       1 EVERY DAY
    3034       0 NOT AT ALL IN THE LAST 30 DAYS

These labels will be corrected when the next version of the data is posted.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2010 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2012 Data Release

Newest errata

Major Field of Study variables for 2004

Posted 01/17/2017

Data for the major fields of study at colleges reported by respondents in the 2004 interview were inadvertently omitted. These variables will be included in the next data release. The affected variables are:

R78133.02 Q3-23_CODE.01 MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY COLLEGE 1 ATTENDED
R78133.03 Q3-23_CODE.02 MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY COLLEGE 2 ATTENDED
R78133.04 Q3-23_CODE.03 MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY COLLEGE 3 ATTENDED
R78133.05 Q3-23_CODE.04 MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY COLLEGE 4 ATTENDED
R78133.06 Q3-23_CODE.05 MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY COLLEGE 5 ATTENDED

Previously posted Errata

EMPLOYER_STARTDATE variables for 1993

Posted 4/4/2016

Due to a question naming issue, variables beginning with EMPLOYER_STARTDATE in 1993 are not present in the current release. Data for 1993 employer startdates can be found in variables with question names QES-8.##~M/D/Y (see list below). Variables with correct question names will be added in the next public data release.

R41878.00 QES-8.01~M DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):MO JOB #01
R41878.01 QES-8.01~D DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):DY JOB #01
R41878.02 QES-8.01~Y DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):YR JOB #01
R42007.00 QES-8.02~M DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):MO JOB #02
R42007.01 QES-8.02~D DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):DY JOB #02
R42007.02 QES-8.02~Y DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):YR JOB #02
R42083.00 QES-8.03~M DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):MO JOB #03
R42083.01 QES-8.03~D DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):DY JOB #03
R42083.02 QES-8.03~Y DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):YR JOB #03
R42153.00 QES-8.04~M DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):MO JOB #04
R42153.01 QES-8.04~D DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):DY JOB #04
R42153.02 QES-8.04~Y DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):YR JOB #04
R42229.00 QES-8.05~M DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):MO JOB #05
R42229.01 QES-8.05~D DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):DY JOB #05
R42229.02 QES-8.05~Y DATE BEGAN WORKING (OR LAST INT IF BEFORE THEN):YR JOB #05

Missing data for CES-D score for Health Module 50 and Over

Posted 3/9/2016

It has come to our attention that the CES-D score for H50+ Module (H50-CES-D_SCORE_7_ITEM) was missing for 4,131 respondents who were interviewed in 2010 and 2012. The missing data will be available in the next public data release.

Past Calendar Year variables corrected

Posted 3/7/2016

Corrections were required for some past calendar year variables due to errors found in the Work History programs.

The first error was a missing equal sign in the code creating number of jobs in past calendar year. As a result, the number of jobs in past calendar year is understated by 1 or 2 for about 100 cases each survey round from 1996-2012.
The second error was that some military cases were inadvertently assigned a -3 for weeks unemployed, weeks out of labor force and weeks unaccounted for variables in past calendar year. This -3 code has been corrected for approximately 50-70 cases each survey round from 1996-2002 and 10-30 cases each survey round from 2004-2012.

The affected variables for these errors are WKSWK-PCY, WKSUEMP-PCY, WKSUNACCT-PCY, WKSOLF-PCY, MILWK-PCY and HRSWK-PCY and CAL_YEAR_JOB#. The data for these variables have been corrected in the current public release.

Yearly "Why Respondents Left Job" Variables in the Employer Roster Revised [posted 1/14/2016]

It has come to our attention that the yearly variables in the Employer Roster that indicate why a respondent left a job (EMPLOYERS_ALL_WHYLEFT_[year].[job]) for respondents who were self-employed from 2002 to 2012 were incorrectly coded. Due to changes in the questionnaire, beginning in 2002 self-employed respondents were asked a separate question with self-employed answer categories only; these changes were not incorporated into the Employer Roster variables. These variables will be corrected in the next public release.

Most recent "Why Respondents Left Job" variable in the Employer Roster recoded

Posted 1/14/2016

Corrections are required for the Employer Roster variables that summarize the most recent reason why a respondent left a job (EMPLOYERS_ALL_WHYLEFT_MOST_RECENT.[job]). Although the response for why a respondent left a job has changed across the 25 survey years, the answer categories for these variables in the employer roster were miscoded to incorrectly reflect the respondent's actual answers. The EMPLOYERS_ALL_WHYLEFT_MOST_RECENT.JOB variable is recoded, and the response list for this variable incorporates all possible responses from all survey years.

A collapsed most recent "why respondents left job" variable is constructed. The response list for this variable collapses all categories in the most recent "why left job" variable into six broad categories. The corrected data for the most recent why left job and the newly created data for the collapsed most recent why left job will be available in the next public release.

New series of Poverty Status variables corrects inconsistencies

Posted 12/8/2015

A new series of poverty status variables has been constructed to correct inconsistencies that occurred when creating the poverty status from 1979 through 1994. There were three types of inconsistency:

From 1979 to 1986, for the respondents whose total net family income contained a component that was a "donâ€™t know" or "refuse" answer, an abbreviated version of income was calculated using selected income variables and this figure was then used to determine if the family was not in poverty.
From 1980-1986, projected, rather than actual, Poverty Income Guidelines were used to create family poverty status. In addition, from 1979-1983, a distinction was originally made between farm and non-farm families.
From 1987-1994, the actual Poverty Income Guidelines for the survey year instead of the past calendar year which respondents were asked to report income on were used to determine if a respondent was in poverty or not.

The new POVSTATUS variables were created using the total net family income and the Poverty Income Guidelines from the past calendar year. Researchers should refer to Appendix 2 for a more complete description of how these variables were created. The newly created poverty status variables from 1979 through 1994 will be included on a future release.

Household Roster data revised

Posted 11/10/2015

CHRR personnel have discovered corrections that were required for 80 cases to data collected as part of the Household Rosters from 1993-2012. Corrections for most of the affected cases were required only in a subset of the survey years between 1993-2012.

The changes involved cases for which either:

"0" was listed as a relationship code sometime between 1993-2012 ("0" is not a valid relationship code after 1992, as the respondent him/herself was no longer included in the household roster), or;
An extremely young spouse age was reported.

These corrections will be included the next time the data is posted.

Employer start and stop dates revised

Posted 10/14/2015

Corrections are required for employer start and stop dates from past survey years for 78 cases. The affected dates were generally associated with continuous jobs, for which either the start date improperly preceded the date of last interview or the stop date improperly exceeded the current interview date. The most likely source for the majority of these errors is keypunch error as the data was being entered. These revisions do not affect created variables for which these items are used, as the variable creation programs made appropriate adjustments when encountering out-of-range or otherwise problematic dates.

These variables will be corrected the next time the data are posted.

Erroneous codebook note for Employer History roster variables

Posted 9/16/2015

The following note was erroneously left on codebook pages for the Employer History Roster variables:

NOTE: EMPLOYER HISTORY ROSTER DATA IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE 1979-2010 SURVEY YEARS. UPDATES WITH 2012 EMPLOYER HISTORY DATA WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2015.

The Employer History Roster data was updated with 2012 data in February of 2015. That note is now incorrect and will be eliminated in the next data posting. Items containing the note are XRND variables that have reference numbers beginning with â€œEâ€ and question names beginning with "EMPLOYERS_ALL". They can be found in Areas of Interest starting with "EMPLOYER HISTORY." This is a documentation error. No data is affected.

Missing Last Interview Date for 2012

Posted posted 8/31/2015

The date of last interview variables for 2012 survey round respondents were inadvertently omitted from the current release. This omission will be corrected in the next release.

Age at birth and child spacing XRND variables

Posted 7/1/2015

The cross-round (XRND) variables relating to age at birth and child spacing were inadvertently restricted to respondents interviewed in the 2012 survey round. The variables affected are listed below.

R99081.00 AGE OF R AT 1ST BIRTH
R99082.00 AGE OF R AT 2ND BIRTH
R99083.00 AGE OF R AT 3RD BIRTH
R99084.00 MOS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND BIRTHS
R99085.00 MOS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD BIRTHS

Revised income variables incorrectly coded

Posted 5/12/2015

It has come to our attention that valid '0' values in some revised income variables were inadvertently recoded to '-3' values (invalid missing). The variables affected (spanning 1982 to 2000 survey years) are listed below. The error will be fixed in subsequent data postings.

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)

Dropped case - Round 19

Posted 2/3/2015

All data for case 9269 in Round 19 (year 2000) have been determined to be invalid as interviewers discovered that the wrong person had been interviewed in that round. This respondent's last valid interview was Round 16 (1994). As a result, researchers should avoid using data for this respondent past those reported during the 1994 interview date, including created yearly variables that combine information for all of 1994. These data will be eliminated and sampling weight variables for round 19 will be recomputed with the next release of the data.

Missing Data for business ownership matching questions

Posted January 2015

[Update: These missing variables, which included information from respondents who clarified businesses reported in a prior round, are now available on the most recent (February 3, 2015) data release].

Data for the business ownership matching questions were found to be missing for NLSY79 respondents who reported businesses for the first time in the 2012 survey. The affected variables are listed below.

For survey year 2012 (round 25):

T34497.00 BUSOWN-YEAR-MATCH.01
T34498.00 BUSOWN-YEAR-MATCH.02
T34499.00 BUSOWN-YEAR-MATCH.03
T34500.00 BUSOWN-YEAR-MATCH.04
T34501.00 BUSOWN-EMPNUM-MATCH.01
T34502.00 BUSOWN-EMPNUM-MATCH.02
T34503.00 BUSOWN-EMPNUM-MATCH.03
T34504.00 BUSOWN-EMPNUM-MATCH.04
T41601.00 BUSOWN-MATCH-QUALITY.01
T41602.00 BUSOWN-MATCH-QUALITY.02
T41603.00 BUSOWN-MATCH-QUALITY.03
T41604.00 BUSOWN-MATCH-QUALITY.04

Incorrect data for H40-CHRC-5 and H40-CHRC-7

Posted December 2014

[Update: These data have now been corrected and are available on the most recent (February 3, 2015) data release].

It has come to our attention that a coding error occurred when combing data from different survey rounds in the Health Module 40 & Over programs. This caused the information in questions H40-CHRC-5 and H40-CHRC-7 to be incorrect for 7,840 respondents. Only respondents answering questions in this section prior to 2006 were affected. Corrected data are available in the next public data release.

Edits for 5 cases that went through the Health Module 40 & Over twice

Posted December 2014

[Update: These data have now been corrected and are available on the most recent (February 3, 2015) data release].

Five respondents mistakenly went through the Health Module 40 & Over in two different surveys. This caused data in this section from both interviews to be combined. Data from the second Health Module 40 & Over interview should be recoded as the following.

Variables H00070.00, H00070.01, H00071.00 for case ID 1847 should be recoded to -4.
Variables H00025.00, H00026.00, H00073.00, H00074.00, H00074.01 for case ID 3607 should be recoded to -4.
Variables H00017.00, H00018.00 for case ID 4784 should be recoded to -4.
Variables H00047.00, H00047.01, H00048.00 for case ID 5823 should be recoded to -4.
Variable H00113.00 for case ID 8002 should be recoded to -4.

Error in Health Module 50 & Over XRND variables, corrected (November 2014)

[Update: These data have now been corrected and are available on the most recent (February 3, 2015) data release].

During the first week following the NLSY79 1979-2012 dataset release, we discovered an error in the Health Module 50 & Over crossround (XRND) variables. We have now re-released the dataset with the error corrected. If users downloaded any of the Health Module 50 & Over crossround data between 10/31/2014 and 11/10/2014, we encourage them to download the corrected dataset to use. Health Module 50 & Over variables for specific survey years (2008, 2010, and 2012) were not affected by this issue.

Uncorrectable data errors

Legal form of business not collected for 31 Cases in 2012

Posted 1/23/2015

Due to an error in the questionnaire, the legal form of a business (SES-BUSOWN-12.#) for 31 NLSY79 respondents was not collected in 2012. This error affects the respondents who reported a business in 2012 that matches a job reported during the last interview and who were last interviewed in 2008 and prior. The legal form of a business for these 31 cases should be coded as -3. Please contact NLS User Services with questions about the 31 respondent IDs that were effected.

Since in 2012 we did not re-ask the legal form of a business that matched a job reported in the last interview, users wishing to determine the legal form of that business should use the employer number from the previous survey year variable in 2012 (EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.#). For example, if EMPLOYER_EMPPREVID.# is 1, which means that the business is the same as job #1 in 2010, then legal form of that business in 2012 is the value of SES-BUSOWN-12.01 or BUSOWN-12.01 in 2010. If the business in 2012 is job #2 in 2010, then the legal form of that business is the value of SES-BUSOWN-12.02 or BUSOWN-12.02 in 2010.

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

NORC 1978 Memo

The 1978 NORC memo regarding race and ethnicity coding can be found here: NORC 1978 memo

Read more about Errata for 1979-2012 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2014 Data Release

Newest errata

Erroneous MSA codes (1984-1987)

Posted 11/27/2018

A small number of Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) codes have been corrected for 16 cases between survey years 1984-1987. Users with an active agreement to use the NLSY79 Geocode data should contact NLS User Services for details. Corrections for these codes will be reflected on the next restricted-use Geocode data release.

Previously posted errata

Documentation errors in 2014 "Source of Health Plan" spouse variables

Posted 7/12/2018

Minor title documentation errors were found in a small group of 2014 NLSY79 variables. The corrected "source of a health/hospital plan" Q11-84B variable titles can be seen in the table below. These corrections will be reflected in the next public data release.

Reference Number	Question Name	Corrected Variable Title
T4898700	Q11-84B~000001	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - PRIVATE INSURANCE R'S CURRENT EMPLOYER
T4898701	Q11-84B~000002	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - PRIVATE INSURANCE R'S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
T4898702	Q11-84B~000003	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - PRIVATE INSURANCE SPOUSE'S OR PARTNER'S CURRENT EMPLOYER
T4898703	Q11-84B~000004	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - PRIVATE INSURANCE SPOUSE'S OR PARTNER'S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
T4898704	Q11-84B~000005	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - PRIVATE INSURANCE BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM MEDICAL INSURANCE COMPANY
T4898705	Q11-84B~000006	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - MEDICAID/WELFARE
T4898706	Q11-84B~000007	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - OTHER
T4898707	Q11-84B~000008	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - MEDICARE
T4898708	Q11-84B~000009	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - VA/MILITARY HEALTHCARE
T4898709	Q11-84B~000010	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
T4898710	Q11-84B~000011	SOURCE OF HEALTH/HOSPITALIZATION (SPOUSE) - UNION

Erroneous government training question names, 1986

Posted 6/19/2018

Two question names for government training questions in 1986 are in error. The correct question names are listed below. These corrections will be reflected in the next public data release.

Reference Number	Current (incorrect) Question Name	Correct Question Name	Title
R19602.00	GOVT-19_2	GOVT-22_1	PLACEMENT IN A JOB AS PART OF 1^ST GOVT PROGRAM TRAINING
R19603.00	GOVT-19A_2	GOVT-19_2	SERVICES PROVIDED, 2^ND GOVT PROGRAM TRAINING SINCE LAST INT – CLASS TRAINING?

Child support variable left out of 2004 data

Posted 6/13/2018

The variable Q13-33U, The Total Amount of Child Support Paid by R/SPAR in 2003, has been inadvertently omitted from the public release data.

Job ID variable missing for 1983 survey year

Posted 5/29/2018; updated 6/13/2018

It has come to our attention that the JOB_UID_EMPROSTER4 variable (NLSY79 Title = "JOB UNIQUE ID FROM EMPLOYER HISTORY ROSTER JOB #04") is missing for the 1983 survey year (Round 5). The missing data will be available in the next public data release.

Assets variables missing from 2004 and 2008 data

Originally posted 2/12/2018; updated with additional variables 3/1/2018

Some assets variables were inadvertently omitted from the NLSY79 2004 and 2008 data. They will be included in the next full release of the NLSY79 data.

Erroneous between job gap dates 2000-2012

Posted 1/9/2018

A set of erroneous between job gap dates, computed between NLSY79 survey years 2000 and 2012, should be eliminated. These gap dates were computed for respondents who reported one of the following scenarios:

One job ending and another starting on the same day, or;
One job ending one day and another job starting the next day.

Under these circumstances, no between job gap dates should exist, as there was no actual gap in employment. The number of cases affected in each survey year is contained in the table below. Most of these gaps had no actual substantive information collected. However, dates were recorded for these gaps, giving the possible appearance of an actual gap being present.

NLSY79 Survey Year	Total	# cases for whom only gap should be eliminated
2012	134	89
2010	112	66
2008	198	133
2006	241	156
2004	187	124
2002	223	140
2000	365	224

Over half the cases affected for each survey year involved respondents with only one gap which should be eliminated (see table above). The remainder of cases involved eliminating one or more gaps and shifting subsequent gaps up where necessary. For example, a respondent might report three between job gaps, with gaps 1 and 3 being legitimate and gap 2 being erroneous. Gap 2 would be eliminated, and data for gap 3 would be shifted up to gap 2.

The erroneous gap dates did not affect the construction of the work history arrays (WEEKLY LABOR STATUS, HOURS WORKED and DUAL JOB 1-4), nor did it affect the EMPLOYER HISTORY roster, as the roster does not contain information on between job gaps.

Corrections for erroneous gaps with the scenarios outlined above will be present in the next public release.

Cross-sectional sampling weights variable issue (affects all rounds)

Posted11/21/2017

Due to a mistake in the program, 401 NLSY79 respondents were excluded from the cross-sectional weights variable (C_SAMPWEIGHT), which contains weights for only the interviewed respondents from the cross-sectional sample. [Note: this issue does NOT affect the SAMPWEIGHT variable, which is for the full sample]. The mistakenly excluded respondents are from the 'poor white cross-sectional sample' in the sampling type variable (SAMPLE_ID=2 and SAMPLE_ID=6). This is separate from the 'poor white oversample,' which was dropped after the 1990 interview. Unfortunately, this mistake affects the cross-sectional weight in all rounds. In the short term, the values for the cross-sectional weights variable have been set to '0' for all rounds in the public use data. Once the variables are created using the full cross-sectional sample, we will post them to the errata and include them in the data.

Researchers may also use the custom weighting program to create weights for the cross-sectional sample if desired. To do this, researchers should submit the cross-sectional sample IDs for the round of interest. Here are the steps to do this:

To pull the appropriate CASEIDs in a particular round, researchers start by limiting the data using RNI=-4 for that round. For example, the 2010 RNI (RNUM=T3107600) indicates that 7565 respondents were interviewed in that round.
Researchers can then isolate the NLSY79 cross-sectional sample by limiting the data using SAMPLE_ID=1 through SAMPLE_ID=8 (deleting SAMPLE_ID>8). Using the example above, that leaves 4,602 cross-sectional sample respondents who were interviewed in 2010.
Once the IDs are selected, submit them using the custom weighting program for the NLSY79.

Erroneous occupation codes (2002 and 2004)

Posted 9/1/2017

A small number of incorrect occupation codes from survey years 2002 and 2004 have been revised. Several cases for two variables are affected. The cases and relevant variables with corrected values are listed below. These corrections will be reflected in the next public data release.

Reference Number	Question Name	Variable Title
R00001.00	CASEID	IDENTIFICATION CODE
R72096.00	OCCALL-EMP.01	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT 00 CODES (ALL), JOB #01 2002
R78981.00	OCCALL-EMP.02	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT 00 CODES (ALL), JOB #02 2004

R00001.00	Survey Year	Reference Number	Incorrect Value	Corrected Value
1306	2002	R72096.00	26	56
4564	2002	R72096.00	26	56
5585	2002	R72096.00	26	385
6170	2002	R72096.00	426	625
6785	2002	R72096.00	426	625
7576	2002	R72096.00	26	56
9112	2002	R72096.00	26	874
1306	2004	R78981.00	260	560
2027	2004	R78981.00	30	3920
2469	2004	R78981.00	30	3800
3933	2004	R78981.00	260	3800

Missing class of worker data (2008 and 2010)

Posted 5/16/2017

Class of Worker data have been found to be missing in the NLSY79 2008 and 2010 for a small number of cases. With very few exceptions, the missing data are comprised of other reserved missing codes (-1/refused, -2/don’t know, -3/invalid missing). The missing codes will be included in the next public data release.

2014 spouse/partner history variables

Posted 5/11/2017

The 2014 Spouse/Partner History variables, NUMSPPTR14 (R99115.00) and RELSPPTR14 (R99116.00), contain values for all NLSY79 respondents rather than only those respondents interviewed in 2014. For those respondents interviewed in 2014, the values on NUMSPPTR14 and RELSPPTR14 incorporate the information provided from their interviews. For those respondents not interviewed in 2014, the values on NUMSPPTR14 and RELSPPTR14 reflect the information from the last time they were interviewed and not 2014 up-to-date information. In future data releases, values on NUMSPPTR14 and RELSPPTR14 will be restricted to only those respondents interviewed in 2014. NLSY79 respondents who have a value of zero on T50221.00 (SAMPWEIGHT), the sampling weight for the 2014 interview, should be treated as having a missing value on these variables.

Uncorrectable data errors

Legal form of business not collected for 31 cases in 2012

Posted 1/23/2015

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Two missing cases in 1994 data items

This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

NORC 1978 Memo

The 1978 NORC memo regarding race and ethnicity coding can be found here: NORC 1978 memo.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2014 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2016 Data Release

Newest errata

Two jobs missing from Work History arrays for single case

Posted 11/5/2020

Respondent #6768 (public identification number) has been found to be missing data for two jobs in survey year 2004 (round 21) in some data tables that produce the Work History arrays, the Employer History Roster variables and several other variables. A summary of the variables affected is as follows:

STATUS_WK_NUM[####] (weeks #1278-1391)
HRS_WORKED_WK_NUM[####] (weeks #1278-1391)
JOB_WK_NUM####_DUALJOB_NUM1 (weeks #1342-1391)
EMPLOYERS_ALL_... (variety of Employer History Roster variables relating to 2004 survey year)
CAL_YEAR_JOB#_2004
JOBSNUM (survey years 2004-2008, 2016)

Jan 2021 Update: The missing data have been included in the most recent public data release.

Hourly rate of pay variable corrections for NLSY79 1996

Posted 11/5/2020

A subset of HRP# (Hourly Rate of Pay) values for survey year 1996 (round 17) were calculated incorrectly. The 1996 HRP# variables for respondents reporting "weekly," "bi-weekly," "monthly" and "annual" time units for rate of pay were calculated without incorporating additional hours worked at home where reported. Those reporting "daily" and "other" time units for rate of pay should have been calculated using the weekly formula. Those reporting "bi-monthly" time units for rate of pay should have been calculated using the monthly formula. The affected variables are:

R51652.00 HRP1 HOURLY RATE OF PAY JOB #01
R51653.00 HRP2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY JOB #02
R51654.00 HRP3 HOURLY RATE OF PAY JOB #03
R51655.00 HRP4 HOURLY RATE OF PAY JOB #04
R51656.00 HRP5 HOURLY RATE OF PAY JOB #05

In addition, a smaller set of values are incorrect for the HRP#_WHRLY2 variables. If respondents do not initially report their earnings at as an hourly rate of pay, they are subsequently asked if they are able to report their earnings in an hourly time unit. If a respondent does report an hour rate of pay in this secondary question, that rate of pay is incorporated in the HRP#_WHRLY2. The affected variables are:

R51652.10 HRP1_WHRLY2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY - INCLUDING HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #01
R51653.10 HRP2_WHRLY2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY - INCLUDING HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #02
R51654.10 HRP3_WHRLY2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY - INCLUDING HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #03
R51655.10 HRP4_WHRLY2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY - INCLUDING HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #04
R51656.10 HRP5_WHRLY2 HOURLY RATE OF PAY - INCLUDING HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #05

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

Other errata

Two issues in created wage variables calculation

Posted 10/9/2020

A review of the created wage variables [HRP and HRP_WHRLY_2] revealed two issues in the calculation that affected values; the affected years are from 1994 to 2016.

Self-employed wage calculation (affected years 2002-2016): The R27 calculation of the NLSY79 created hourly wage variables (HRPx and HRPx_WHRLY2) for self-employed workers divides the income from the business (SES-71A) by the amount of time worked calculated using the number of weeks actively worked at the business (SES-52E), multiplied by the number of usual hours per week (SES-52D). A time inconsistency occurs when the income from the prior calendar year is divided by the number of weeks the respondent actively worked in year that the job ended (or the current year if it is ongoing). The time inconsistency may cause errors in the created wage variables for jobs that continue into the current calendar year. This calculation was first implemented in R27 for all self-employed wages going back to 2002. The updated values will return to using 52 weeks as a universal number of weeks working for all self-employed jobs, as was our practice prior to R27.
Bi-monthly (affected years 1994-2016): A programming error affected respondents who reported a bimonthly (twice a month) rate of pay in QES-71G. Respondents reporting a bimonthly income were asked to report their 'monthly' income. However, the constructed rate-of-pay variables were calculated as if the respondent were asked to report a bimonthly amount. The values for these created variables were recalculated to reflect that the actual amount recorded was for monthly income rather than bimonthly. This issue is also detailed in the 'Corrected Values for Rate-of-Pay Variables' errata posted on 9/28/2020.

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## variables for NLSY79 2000-2002

Posted 10/6/2020

It has come to CHRR’s attention that a subset of HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## values were calculated without incorporating additional hours worked at home where reported. The variables affected are listed in the table below.

Reference Number	Survey Year	Correct Question Name	Variable Title	Number of Cases
R70804.00	2000	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.01	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #01	889
R70805.00	2000	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.02	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #02	239
R70806.00	2000	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.03	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #03	65
R70807.00	2000	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.04	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #04	23
R70808.00	2000	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.05	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #05	4
R77690.00	2002	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.01	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #01	516
R77691.00	2002	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.02	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #02	101
R77692.00	2002	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.03	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #03	24
R77693.00	2002	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.04	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #04	13
R77694.00	2002	HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.05	COMBINED HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, INCLUDING HOURS AT HOME JOB #05	1

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

Corrected values for rate-of-pay variables

Posted 9/28/2020

A review of the created rate-of-pay variables (HRP#, HRP#_WHRLY2, and PAYRATE-ALL-EMP) revealed a programming error that affected respondents who reported a bi-monthly (twice a month) rate of pay in QES-71G. The affected survey years are from 1994 through 2016.

Respondents reporting a bi-monthly income were asked to report their 'monthly' income. However, the constructed rate-of-pay variables were calculated as if the respondent were asked to report a bi-monthly amount. The values for these created variables were recalculated to reflect the respondent’s answer of 'monthly.'

The affected variables by survey year are in the following table:

Survey Year	HRP#	HRP#_WHRLY2	PAYRATE
1994	46	37	46
1996	69	61	69
1998	64	51	64
2000	93	78	93
2002	73	60	73
2004	52	37	52
2006	50	40	50
2008	48	36	48
2010	22	16	22
2012	30	15	30
2014	15	10	15
2016	24	12	24

See also errata titled 'Two Issues in Created Wage Variables Calculation'.

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

Regressions in NLSY79 Highest Grade Completed revised

Posted 9/24/2020

Some regressing or decreasing values have been revised for some Highest Grade Completed Revised variables. The majority of cases occur in the early 2000s. The affected variables and number of cases are reflected in the table below.

Reference Number	Question Name	Number Cases Affected
R0406401	HGCREV80	3
R0618901	HGCREV81	2
R0898201	HGCREV82	2
R1145001	HGCREV83	2
R1520201	HGCREV84	2
R1890901	HGCREV85	2
R2258001	HGCREV86	1
R2871101	HGCREV88	1
R3074801	HGCREV89	1
R3401501	HGCREV90	1
R3656901	HGCREV91	2
R4007401	HGCREV92	4
R4418501	HGCREV93	4
R5103900	HGCREV94	15
R5166901	HGCREV96	12
R6479600	HGCREV98	12
R7007300	HGCREV00	27
R7704600	HGCREV02	24
R8497000	HGCREV04	93
T0988800	HGCREV06	5
T2210700	HGCREV08	2
T3108600	HGCREV10	1
T4113100	HGCREV12	2
T5023500	HGCREV14	2
T5771400	HGCREV16	2

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

NLSY79 undocumented occupation codes for CPS job—various survey years

Posted 3/24/2020

Some undocumented occupation codes for the CPS or current/most recent job in various survey years have been brought to CHRR’s attention.

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

Missing NLSY79 1989 variables

Posted 3/13/2020

A previously released set of constructed variables for 1989 from the NLSY79 FERTILITY AND RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/CREATED area of interest was inadvertently omitted from the current data release. The affected variables are:

R30768.01 C1DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 1ST CHILD
R30768.03 C1DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 1ST CHILD
R30768.04 C1SEX89 SEX OF 1ST CHILD
R30768.05 C1RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 1ST CHILD
R30768.06 C2DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 2ND CHILD
R30768.08 C2DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 2ND CHILD
R30768.09 C2SEX89 SEX OF 2ND CHILD
R30768.10 C2RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 2ND CHILD
R30768.11 C3DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 3RD CHILD
R30768.13 C3DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 3RD CHILD
R30768.14 C3SEX89 SEX OF 3RD CHILD
R30768.15 C3RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 3RD CHILD
R30768.16 C4DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 4TH CHILD
R30768.18 C4DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 4TH CHILD
R30768.19 C4SEX89 SEX OF 4TH CHILD
R30768.20 C4RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 4TH CHILD
R30768.21 C5DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 5TH CHILD
R30768.23 C5DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 5TH CHILD
R30768.24 C5SEX89 SEX OF 5TH CHILD
R30768.25 C5RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 5TH CHILD
R30768.26 C6DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 6TH CHILD
R30768.28 C6DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 6TH CHILD
R30768.29 C6SEX89 SEX OF 6TH CHILD
R30768.30 C6RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 6TH CHILD
R30768.31 C7DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 7TH CHILD
R30768.33 C7DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 7TH CHILD
R30768.34 C7SEX89 SEX OF 7TH CHILD
R30768.35 C7RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 7TH CHILD
R30768.36 C8DOB89_M MONTH OF BIRTH OF 8TH CHILD
R30768.38 C8DOB89_Y YEAR OF BIRTH OF 8TH CHILD
R30768.39 C8SEX89 SEX OF 8TH CHILD
R30768.40 C8RES89 USUAL RESIDENCE 8TH CHILD
R30768.41 NUMKID89 NUMBER OF CHILDREN EVER BORN
R30768.42 NUMCH89 NUMBER OF BIO/STEP/ADPT CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD
R30768.44 AGE1B89 AGE OF R AT 1ST BIRTH
R30768.45 AGE2B89 AGE OF R AT 2ND BIRTH
R30768.46 AGE3B89 AGE OF R AT 3RD BIRTH
R30768.47 MO1B2B89 MONTHS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND BIRTHS
R30768.48 MO2B3B89 MONTHS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD BIRTHS
R30768.49 AGE1M89 AGE BEGAN 1ST MARRIAGE
R30768.50 MOBG1M89 MONTH BEGAN 1ST MARRIAGE
R30768.51 YRBG1M89 YEAR BEGAN 1ST MARRIAGE
R30768.52 MOEN1M89 MONTH ENDED 1ST MARRIAGE
R30768.53 YREN1M89 YEAR ENDED 1ST MARRIAGE
R30768.54 MOBG2M89 MONTH BEGAN 2ND MARRIAGE
R30768.55 YRBG2M89 YEAR BEGAN 2ND MARRIAGE
R30768.56 MOEN2M89 MONTH ENDED 2ND MARRIAGE
R30768.57 YREN2M89 YEAR ENDED 2ND MARRIAGE
R30768.58 MOBG3M89 MONTH BEGAN 3RD MARRIAGE
R30768.59 YRBG3M89 YEAR BEGAN 3RD MARRIAGE
R30768.61 C1DOD89_M MONTH OF DEATH OF 1ST CHILD
R30768.62 C1DOD89_Y YEAR OF DEATH OF 1ST CHILD
R30768.63 C2DOD89_M MONTH OF DEATH OF 2ND CHILD
R30768.64 C2DOD89_Y YEAR OF DEATH OF 2ND CHILD
R30768.65 C3DOD89_M MONTH OF DEATH OF 3RD CHILD
R30768.66 C3DOD89_Y YEAR OF DEATH OF 3RD CHILD
R30768.67 C4DOD89_M MONTH OF DEATH OF 4TH CHILD
R30768.68 C4DOD89_Y YEAR OF DEATH OF 4TH CHILD
R30768.69 C5DOD89_M MONTH OF DEATH OF 5TH CHILD
R30768.70 C5DOD89_Y YEAR OF DEATH OF 5TH CHILD
R30768.71 MO1M1B189 ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MONTHS BETWEEN 1ST MARRIAGE & 1ST BIRTH
R30768.72 FL1M1B89 FLAG TO INDICATE WHETHER 1ST MARRIAGE OCCURRED BEFORE 1ST BIRTH

Jan 2021 Update: These variables have been included in the most recent public data release.

Set of "On Jobs" variables added

Posted 1/31/2020

A set of variables from the "On Jobs" section has been added to help match up job information in the On Jobs section with the data in the Employer Supplement. For the next public release, we will be preparing special crosswalk variables that will allow users to link information from the On Jobs section to information found in the Employer Supplement.

Jan 2021 Update: These variables have been included in the most recent public data release.

Training question corrections for 1988 and 1993

Posted 12/31/2019

A number of variables in the "Training" area of interest with incorrect question names have come to CHRR’s attention. The variables affected are listed in the table below:

Reference Number	Survey Year	Question Name in Current Data Release	Correct Question Name	Variable Title
R09749.00	1983	Q8-5_1	Q8-20.01	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 1^ST VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R09751.00	1983	Q8-5_2	Q8-20.02	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 2^ND VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R09753.00	1983	Q8-5_3	Q8-20.03	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 3^RD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R16722.00	1985	Q8-5_1	Q8-20.01	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 1^ST VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R16724.00	1985	Q8-5_2	Q8-20.02	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 2^ND VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R16726.00	1985	Q8-5_3	Q8-20.03	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 3^RD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R19659.00	1986	Q8-5_1	Q8-20.01	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 1^ST VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R19661.00	1986	Q8-5_2	Q8-20.02	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 2^ND VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R19663.00	1986	Q8-5_3	Q8-20.03	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 3^RD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R25398.00	1988	Q8-5_1	Q8-20.01	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 1^ST VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE 86/PRIOR INT
R29443.00	1989	Q8-33_2_000005	Q8-34.02	OTHER TRAINING AFTER 2^ND VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM ENROLLED IN SINCE LAST INT
R29444.00	1989	Q8-33_2_000006	Q8-20.03	TYPE OF SCHOOL OF 3^RD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM SINCE LAST INT
R29445.00	1989	Q8-34_2	Q8-21.03~000001	3^RD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM ENROLLED IN SINCE LAST INT PAID BY - SELF
R29446.00	1989	Q8-20_3	Q8-21.03~000002	3^rd VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL PGM ENROLLED IN SINCE LAST INT PAID BY - EMPLOYER

In addition, a TRAINING variable in survey year 1993 is missing from the current NLSY79 public release data. The variable in question is:

R42534.02 1993 Q8-33B_CPS_69SB.03 3^rd TRAINING USEFUL IN DOING SAME WORK FOR EMPLOYER OTHER THAN CPS EMPLOYER?

Jan 2021 Update: Corrected values have been included in the most recent public data release.

Missing NLSY79 1989 variable

Posted 12/18/2019

A previously released constructed variable, the number of biological, step and adopted children living in the respondent’s household, from the NLSY79 1989 FERTILITY AND RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/CREATED area of interest, was inadvertently omitted from the current data release. The affected variable is:

R30768.42 NUMCH89 NUMBER OF BIO/STEP/ADPT CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD 1989

Jan 2021 Update: This variable has been included in the most recent public data release.

NLSY79 multiple CPS jobs in 1987, 1989-1992

Posted 11/18/2019

Corrections have been determined for 37 cases with multiple CPS (current/most recent) jobs coded for survey years 1987 and 1989-1992. The CPSJOB variables on the EMPLOYERS_ALL roster have also been corrected where possible.

These corrections will be included in the next NLSY79 public release update. Update (12/6/2019): These corrections have now been made on the NLSY79 public release.

Variables that help match job info in "On Jobs" section with Employer Supplement data

Posted 11/18/2019

A set of NLSY79 variables from the On Jobs section will be available in an updated release of the NLSY79 data scheduled to come out in a couple of weeks. These variables can be used to help match up the job information in the On Jobs section with data in the Employer Supplement. Update (12/6/2019): These corrections have now been made on the public release.

Review of imputations of NLSY79 asset variables 1985-2012

Posted 5/31/2019

An internal review of the imputed versions of the NLSY79 asset variables from 1985-2012 is currently underway. While computing the new series of Total Net Family Wealth (TNFW_TRUNC) variables, some anomalies were discovered in a subset of imputations.

On review, it appears that the OLS method used for the current imputations can result in unexpected or smaller- or larger-than-expected variances between imputed values and their bounding values. In addition, some imputations were found to have been generated for unbounded survey years (1985 – the first year in which detailed asset information was collected which lacks a previous bounding year, and; 2012 – which was the latest year of collection before the current release and lacked a subsequent year).

While the review is being undertaken, the imputed assets variables have been removed from the current public data release. In addition, the existing NET_WORTH_[YR] variables, which incorporated imputed values in the calculation of a families total worth have also been removed. A new set of variables named TNFW_TRUNC (Total Net Family Wealth) replaces the former NET_WORTH_[YR] variables. TNFW_TRUNC calculations do not incorporate imputed values. Users can still compute imputations using existing data methods of their choosing in accordance with their own research requirements.

Updates about these variables will be posted on the Errata page. More information on assets and debt variables as well as computations of the Total Net Family Wealth variables can be found in Appendix 23: Revised Asset and Debt and Computed Total Net Wealth Variables. References to the imputed and NET_WORTH_[YR] variables have been removed to accurate reflect the content of the current public release data.

NLSY79 political attitude questions containing “0” codes in 2008

Posted 5/22/2019

Malfunctioning dynamic response categories very early in the NLSY79 2008 (round 23) field period resulted in data for several political attitude questions containing improper “0” codes. Upon review, CHRR staff were able to determine correct codes for roughly 50 cases across these variables. All other “0” codes in these questions that are not documented in the list of response categories should be coded to “-3.” Corrections will be reflected in the next NLSY79 public data release. Update (12/6/2019): These corrections have now been made to the public release.

Case data deletion

Posted 5/7/2019

After the release of the 2016 data, the case data for respondent id 7645 were determined to be invalid for survey years 2012, 2014, and 2016. The survey data for this respondent for those survey years will be removed from the data at the time of the next data release. In the meantime, users should avoid using data for this respondent for survey years 2012, 2014, and 2016.

Dual job variables with incorrect areas of interest

Posted 5/6/2019

Dual Job variables for dual jobs #2, #3 and #4 that occurred during the period covered by the round 27 (2016) interview were inadvertently assigned to Area of Interest WORK HISTORY – DUAL JOB 1. Question names for the incorrectly assigned variables end in “_NUM2/3/4” and variable titles begin with “JOB NUMBER 2/3/4.” The affected reference numbers and their correct Area of Interest assignments are listed below. The mislabeling will be corrected with the next data release.

W13868.00 – W13950.00 WORK HISTORY – DUAL JOB 2
W13951.00 – W14007.00 WORK HISTORY – DUAL JOB 3
W14008.00 – W14045.00 WORK HISTORY – DUAL JOB 4

Data for respondent interviewed under wrong CASEID in 2006 removed

Posted 4/9/2019

It was recently discovered that limited data for a respondent interviewed under caseid #4646 in 2006 inadvertently remained in previous public data releases. These data have been removed for survey year 2006 (round 22) and for a small number of created variables. The sampling weights and Reason for Non-interview variables for 2006 have also been adjusted. There should be little to essentially no effect on weights for remaining respondents. The correct number of non-interviews for the 2006 survey has increased by 1 to 5033. In addition, changes have been made where necessary to the Work History arrays (STATUS, HOURS and DUAL JOB arrays), Recipiency month data and Employers_all roster items. The number of interviews for 2006 have decreased by 1 to 7653 (decreasing the number of completed interviews to 7653).

Adjustments made to data for respondent #4646 fall into several categories:

All data for this respondent has been eliminated for survey year 2006 with the exception of SAMPWEIGHT, C_SAMPWEIGHT and RNI. These values have been corrected to reflect a 2006 non-interview status. In addition, certain variables in the XRND survey year category that pertain to 2006 have been deleted as well.
Some values have been changed to eliminate the cumulative presence of data erroneously collected for #4646, including some variables in 2016.
Variables in relevant data arrays/rosters has been adjusted where necessary to eliminate erroneous data and incorporate retrospective data provided by the correct respondent in 2016. These arrays include the Work History arrays, Recipiency month variables and the Employers_all roster.

The corrections discussed above are reflected in the current public data release. Users can contact User Services for further information.

The correct respondent #4646 was located for the 2016 interview and provided some retrospective data.

Missing values in question loops added to current release

Posted 4/9/2019

Some values for assets collected in repetitive question loops were inadvertently omitted in past releases for survey years 1998-2014. These question loops contained values that did not require topcoding. Asset values reported in repetitive question loops can be identified by the following characteristics:

They are assigned to area of interest ASSETS;
Question names have a number extension (e.g. .01, .02, etc.);
For documentation consistency, question names contain the string “TRUNC”, whether or not they are truncated/topcoded.

Variables containing topcoded values include the string “TRUNC” or “TRUNCATED” in the variable title. Un-topcoded values from loops that were added to the current release do not include those strings in the variable title. Asset values from all repetitive question loops are included in the current public release data.

Uncorrectable data errors

Legal form of business not collected for 31 cases in 2012

Posted 1/23/2015

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

This error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

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.

Two missing cases in 1994 data items

This data error is present on all current NLSY79 data releases.

NORC 1978 Memo

The 1978 NORC memo regarding race and ethnicity coding can be found here: NORC 1978 memo.

A review of the created wage variables [HRP and HRP_WHRLY_2] revealed two issues in the calculation that affected values; the affected years are from 1994 to 2016.

Self-employed wage calculation (affected years 2002-2016): The R27 calculation of the NLSY79 created hourly wage variables (HRPx and HRPx_WHRLY2) for self-employed workers divides the income from the business (SES-71A) by the amount of time worked calculated using the number of weeks actively worked at the business (SES-52E), multiplied by the number of usual hours per week (SES-52D). A time inconsistency occurs when the income from the prior calendar year is divided by the number of weeks the respondent actively worked in year that the job ended (or the current year if it is ongoing). The time inconsistency may cause errors in the created wage variables for jobs that continue into the current calendar year. This calculation was first implemented in R27 for all self-employed wages going back to 2002. The updated values will return to using 52 weeks as a universal number of weeks working for all self-employed jobs, as was our practice prior to R27.

Bi-monthly (affected years 1994-2016): A programming error affected respondents who reported a bimonthly (twice a month) rate of pay in QES-71G. Respondents reporting a bimonthly income were asked to report their 'monthly' income. However, the constructed rate-of-pay variables were calculated as if the respondent were asked to report a bimonthly amount. The values for these created variables were recalculated to reflect that the actual amount recorded was for monthly income rather than bimonthly. This issue is also detailed in the ‘Corrected Values for Rate-of-Pay Variables’ errata posted on 9/28/2020.

The full set of HRPx, HRPx_WHRLY2 variables for 1994 to 2016 is contained in the wage_update_2020.zip file. This file contains both updated and non-updated variables for 1994 to 2016 in SAS, Stata, SPSS, and CSV formats. The codebook, short description file, and tagset are also included. These revised variables will be included in the next public release. Researchers who are interested in more detailed information should contact User Services.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2016 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2018 Data Release

Newest errata

NLSY79 2018 bonus and income data

Posted 8/3/2022

A small number of bonus and income variables were inadvertently omitted from the 2018 release. 2023 Update: These variables have now been added to the public release.

Other errata

NLSY79 Total Net Family income 2018 value of estates/trusts/inheritances

Posted 7/25/2022

The Total Net Family (TNFI_TRUNC) for 2018 mistakenly incorporated values from Q13-73A (value of estates/trusts/inheritances in the past calendar year), which is not consistent with the created income (TNFI_TRUNC) and poverty status (POVSTATUS) variables in other survey years. To maintain historical consistency, we will update the R28 TNFI_TRUNC variable by removing this component and recomputing TNFI_TRUNC and POVSTATUS values in the next release. 2023 Update: This has now been updated in the public release.

NLSY79 2018 smoking and alcohol use data

Posted 7/7/2022

In 2016, the Smoking and Alcohol Use section was not fielded. This section was fielded in 2018. Unfortunately, a documentation setting error prevented these questions from being included in the 2018 release. 2023 Update: These data are now included in the public release.

NLSY79 Total Net Family income 2006 estimates included

Posted 6/22/2022

The Total Net Family Income (TNFI) for 2006 incorporated estimates of income values where available (self-reported ranges and unfolding brackets). While the data are not incorrect, the inclusion of estimates is not consistent with TNFI in other survey years. In future data releases, estimates will be eliminated from the 2006 TNFI_TRUNC calculation. Values for these cases will be reset to -3 (invalid missing). Family Poverty Status for affected cases will also be reset to -3. As in other survey years, estimated values will still available in the survey data for 2006 for researchers to incorporate at their discretion. To eliminate those cases from the 2006 TNFI_TRUNC variable before the next release, users can reset TNFI_TRUNC and POVSTATUS values to -3 for respondents reporting estimates for any TNFI_TRUNC components.

The following number of cases will be affected by the elimination of estimates of income values for the 2006 TNFI and POVSTATUS variables.

Reference Number	Variable Name	Variable Title	Year	Total Number of Cases Affected
T09878.00	TNFI_TRUNC	TOTAL NET FAMILY INCOME IN PAST CALENDAR YEAR KEY (TRUNCATED)	2006	725
T09879.00	POVSTATUS	FAMILY POVERTY STATUS IN 2005	2006	725

2023 Update: These cases have now been reset to -3 values (invalid missing) in the public release, comparable to other survey years.

NLSY79 Total Net Family income 2002 and 2004 components in error

Posted 6/22/2022

As components of Total Net Family Income (TNFI), monthly amounts for veterans', disability and Social Security benefits in 2002 and 2004 were all multiplied by 12, assuming receipt for every month in the past calendar year. Amounts for respondents reporting less than 12 months receipt should have been multiplied by the actual number of months the benefits were received. The Family Poverty Status (POVSTATUS) for a very small set of respondents in these survey years were affected as well.

The following 2002 and 2004 variables are affected:

Reference Number	Variable Name	Number cases for each type benefit affected	Year	Total Number of Cases Affected
R77037.00	TNFI_TRUNC	6 (veterans' benefits) 60 (disability) 5 (Social Security)	2002	71
R77039.00	POVSTATUS		2002	8
R84961.00	TNFI_TRUNC	5 (veterans' benefits) 78 (disability) 18 (Social Security)	2004	98
R84963.00	POVSTATUS		2004	5

The survey level data for all of the TNFI_TRUNC components is correct and can be found in the current data release. 2023 Update: The corrected and adjusted TNFI_TRUNC and POVSTATUS values for each survey year have been included in the public release.

Sex of first biological child

Posted 5/5/2022

The sex of the first child in the year-specific 2018 Fertility and Relationship History data was inadvertently not included in the public release.

2023 Update: This variable is now available on the public release.

Sex of household members

Posted 5/5/2022

In the NLSY79 Household Record data for 2004 (R21), 2006 (R22), and 2008 (R23), some household members incorrectly received codes of -4 (missing) for sex, rather than codes of 1 for male and 2 for female. In 2006, no variable was released for the 12^th ;household member, and in 2008, variables for the 10^th and 11^th household members were not released.

The affected variables are:

Ref Number	Question Name	Year	Title
R85120.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.01	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #01
R85120.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.01	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #01
R85121.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.02	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #02
R85122.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.03	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #03
R85123.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.04	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #04
R85124.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.05	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #05
R85125.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.06	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #06
R85126.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.07	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #07
R85127.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.08	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #08
R85128.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.09	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #09
R85129.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.10	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #10
R85130.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.11	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #11
R85131.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.12	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #12
R85132.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.13	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #13
R85133.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.14	2004	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #14
T10068.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.01	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #01
T10069.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.02	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #02
T10070.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.03	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #03
T10071.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.04	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #04
T10072.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.05	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #05
T10073.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.06	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #06
T10074.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.07	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #07
T10075.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.08	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #08
T10076.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.09	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #09
T10077.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.10	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #10
T10077.10	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.11	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #11
T10077.20	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.12	2006	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #12
T22272.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.01	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #01
T22273.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.02	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #02
T22274.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.03	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #03
T22275.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.04	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #04
T22276.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.05	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #05
T22277.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.06	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #06
T22278.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.07	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #07
T22279.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.08	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #08
T22280.00	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.09	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #09
T22280.10	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.10	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #10
T22280.20	HHI_FINAL_GENCODE.11	2008	FINAL HOUSEHOLD RECORD - SEX OF MEMBER #11

2023 Update: These variables have been corrected on the public release.

Distance measures for two NLSY79 respondents previously dropped from the sample

Posted 3/25/2022

Distance measures for 2 respondents dropped in prior rounds were erroneously maintained in the created distance variables (DISTANCE_) on the geocode release. These variables for respondent id 4646 relating to survey year 2006 should be recoded to -4. These variables for respondent id 7645 for survey years 2012 through 2016 should be recoded to -4. Prior errata noted that these cases were dropped from the data and all case data (other than the stray distance values) relating to the years in question were set to 'non-interview' for the appropriate survey rounds. This includes sample weights of '0' and RNI of 64 (unable to locate youth). These measures will be updated in the next geocode release.

CPSJOB flags in NLSY79 data

Posted 3/25/2022

CPS Job Flag Corrections – 1979, 1982-1992

The CPS job flag variables for some cases distributed between 1982 and 1992 are erroneously set to "0" instead of "1". The variables affected are assorted QES-52.## in various survey years from 1982-1992, and from the created Employer History Roster, EMPLOYERS_ALL_CPSJOB_[YEAR].## in 1979 and 1982-1992.

The Employer History Roster CPS job flags for 1979 (EMPLOYERS_ALL_CPSJOB_1979.##) were created based on the current or most recent job definition and released with the rest of the roster variables. There are no main questionnaire variables such as QES-52.## to correct in 1979. However, a small number of cases were still missing a CPS job identification and required correction (see table below).

The number of cases affected for 1979 and 1982-1992:

Survey Year	Single Job Reported	Multiple Jobs Reported
1979	8	10
1982	83	4
1983	32	0
1984	41	1
1986	0	1
1988	76	26
1989	2	0
1990	8	4
1991	3	0
1992	9	5

2023 Update: The corrected and adjusted data for the variables listed above are now included in the public release.

Errors in 2004 and 2006 NLSY79 payrate and related variables

Posted 3/25/2022

Payrate variables are incorrect for a small subset of respondents who reported teacher-specific earnings in 2004 and 2006. The payrates for those respondents were not multiplied by 100 as they should have been. Because the payrates are a component in the calculation of the Hourly Rate of Pay variables and these variables are duplicated into the Employer History Roster, a number of other items are also affected.

The following variables are affected for survey years 2004 and 2006:

PAYRATE-EMP-ALL.##
HRP#
HRP#_WHRLY2

In addition, the Employer History Roster variables listed below are also affected:

EMPLOYERS_ALL_PAYRATE_2004.##
EMPLOYERS_ALL_PAYRATE_2006.##
EMPLOYERS_ALL_HRLY_WAGE_2004.##
EMPLOYERS_ALL_HRLY_WAGE_2006.##

The following number of cases are affected for each job reported in 2004 and 2006:

Year	Number of Cases	Job #
2004	189	job 1
	34	job 2
	12	job 3
	3	job 4
2006	198	job 1
	20	job 2
	9	job 3
	2	job 4
	1	job 5

2023 Update: The corrected data for these variables are now included in the public release.

Erroneous employer data for NLSY79 case in 1988

Posted 3/25/2022

Respondent #6373 has been found to have a small number of variables that contain erroneous data for an employer in survey year 1988. The respondent was not employed during the survey period, but appears to have erroneously answered a small set of questions for a past employer. Values for the variables listed below should be set to -4 (valid missing) for 1988.

Reference Number	Question Name	Variable Title
R27707.00	QES-51.01	HOURS PER DAY WORKED JOB #01
R27708.00	QES-52.01	INT CHECK – IS JOB #01 SAME AS CURRENT JOB?
R27709.00	QES-52A.01	HOURS PER WEEK WORKED JOB #01
R27710.00	QES-52B.01	HOURS PER WEEK USUALLY WORKED AT HOME JOB #01
R27713.00	QES-53B.01	INT CHECK 88 – R WORK MORE/LESS THAN 10 HOURS PER WEEK? JOB #01
R27714.00	QES-54B.01	INT CHECK 88 – DID R WORK MORE/LESS THAN 9 WEEKS? JOB #01
R27722.00	QES-71A.01	TIME UNIT OF RATE OF PAY JOB #01
R27722.20	HRP1_WHRLY2	HOURLY RATE OF PAY – INCLUDIN HOURLY RATE FOR RS FIRST REPORTING NON-HOURLY TIME UNIT JOB #01
R27723.00	QES-78.01	PAID BY THE HOUR (TIME UNIT OTHER THAN HOURLY PREVIOUSLY REPORTED)? JOB #01
R27724.00	QES-79.01	HOURLY RATE OF PAY (RATE OTHER THAN HOURLY PREVIOUSLY REPORTED) JOB #01
R27726.00	QES-80.01	INT CHECK – JOB #01 SAME EMPLOYER AS ANY AT LAST INT?
R27728.00	QES-92.01	INT CHECK 88 – ARE THERE ANY MORE EMPLOYER SUPPLEMENTS? JOB #01
R27731.00	QES-87A.01	INT CHECK – R WORK LESS THAN 10 HOURS PER WEEK OR LESS THAN 9 WEEKS? JOB #01
R27732.00	QES-88C.01	WAGES SET BY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING? JOB #01

2023 Update: Corrected data for the variables listed above have been included in the public release.

Correction to the 2006 PAST_CALENDAR_YEAR variable

Posted 2/4/22

The R22 (2006) PAST_CALENDAR_YEAR incorrectly incremented the year variable by 1. The current answer category of 2006 should be 2005 and the current answer category of 2007 should be 2006. 2023 Update: This variable is now included in the public release.

Two values for NLSY79 variable QES-PARSE.## miscoded

Posted 6/16/2021

Two values for QES-PARSE.## (one for each affected variable) are miscoded. The affected variables and the correct values are listed in the table below:

Survey Year	Reference Number	Qname	Title	Public ID Number	Correct Value
2004	R78637.00	QES-PARSE.02	JOB TYPE OF EMPLOYER #02	5074	1
2012	T41637.00	QES-PARSE.04	JOB TYPE OF EMPLOYER #04	2030	2

2023 Update: Corrected data for these variables have now been included in the public release.

Undocumented CPSOCC80 codes in NLSY79 data

Posted 3/9/2021

A relatively small number of undocumented codes have been brought to CHRR's attention in CPSOCC80 occupation code variables named CPSOCC80, between survey years 1992-2000. Codes have been revised where possible. CHRR was unable to verify most of the undocumented codes for survey years 1992-1994. The majority of undocumented codes for those survey years were set to an invalid missing code of "-3”. Variables affected are:

Reference Number	Questions Name	Variable Title	Year
R3728100	CPSOCC80	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1992
R4193700	CPSOCC80	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1993
R4587901	CPSOCC80	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1994
R5270900	CPSOCC80	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1996
R6473700	CPSOCC80	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1998
R6592900	CPSOCC80.01	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (80 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	2000

Users can also access the 1970 occupation codes. Those variables for survey years 1992-2000 are:

Reference Number	Questions Name	Variable Title	Year
R3727800	CPSOCC70	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (70 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1992
R4182100	CPSOCC70	OCCUPATION AT CURRENT JOB/MOST RECENT JOB (70 CENSUS 3 DIGIT) CPS ITEM	1993
R4587904	OCCALL-EMP.01	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 70 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01	1994
R5270600	OCCALL-EMP.01	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 70 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01	1996
R6472600	OCCALL-EMP.01	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 70 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01	1998
R6591800	OCCALL-EMP.01	OCCUPATION (CENSUS 3 DIGIT, 70 CODES) (ALL) JOB #01	2000

2023 Update: Corrected data for the CPSOCC80 variables have been included in the public release.

CPS hourly rate of pay and CPS job flag corrections for NLSY79 1980-1993

Posted 1/6/2021

A review of the CPS hourly rate of pay variables yielded corrections to a small number of variables:

A small number of CPSHRP variables (143) from 1980-93 were found to be missing valid values that should have been present.
In addition, 40 cases were found to have a discrepancy between QES-52.## and QES-84.## (two variables that identify CPS job between 1988-1993). In the vast majority of those, QES-52.## appears to be correct.
20 cases in 1993 were rounded in the HRP and HRP_WHRLY_2 variables but not in the CPSHRP variable. The HRP will be replaced with the more precise CPSHRP calculation.
4 respondents were identified to have an incorrect CPSHRP value with one of those requiring an update to the HRP and HRP_WHRLY_2 values.

Corrected data for these variables have been included in the public release.

AGEATINT updates and corrections (1979 to 2016)

Posted 1/6/2021

Due to reauthorization of CIPSEA in 2019, in response to the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017, a review of all age variables was undertaken. The AGEATINT variables were smoothed in accordance with this review. During this process, two issues were corrected for the AGEATINT variable:

In 1994, the original 1979 date of birth was used in the calculation rather than the hybrid date of birth that combines the 1979 date of birth with the 1981 date of birth. All other AGEATINT variables use the hybrid date to calculate the age at interview. This led to an update to 87 respondents.
In the 2004 program, the components of the date of interview variable were mislabeled. When the program calculated the age, this mismatch caused the age to be miscalculated for 3,314 cases.

Corrected data for these variables have been included on the public release.

Corrections to INDALL-EMP and OCCALL-EMP variables in 2014 and 2016

Posted 1/6/2021

In updating the R28 industry and occupation codes, staff found a small number of codes were pulled forward erroneously for long-term non-interviews (last interview in 2002 or prior) when a different coding frame was used. The codes for non-interviewed respondents from 2002 were converted by multiplying the existing code by 10; this affected 4 respondents (4 values) in 2014 and for 6 respondents (12 values) in 2016. The values for an additional 5 respondents in 2014 and 10 respondents in 2016 were removed as these were coded to the 1970 frame.

Corrected data for these variables have been included on the public release.

Corrections to HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## for 2002

Posted 1/6/2021

Values for the created variables HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## in 2002 are incorrectly set to value missing (-4) for self-employed workers. This affected 903 self-employed jobs.

Corrected data for these variables have been included on the public release.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2018 Data Release

Errata for 1979-2020 Data Release

Newest errata

Respondent mode of contact variables added for R20 NLSY97 and R30 NLSY79

POSTED 10/23/24

Data identifying the mode of contact that most directly led to completion of the interview for a random subset of respondents will be added to both R30 of the NLSY79 and R20 of the NLSY97; the NLSY79 data have been updated in the current public release (see NLSY97 Errata for R20 data). There are two variables for each cohort, primary contact mode and secondary contact mode, that identify the source that was primarily, and secondarily, related to the respondent completing the interview. Coders manually reviewed each contact attempt for this subset of cases to determine the contact mode(s) that was most effective for getting the respondent to complete the interview.

Other errata

NLSY79 2000 Household Record errata

Posted: 10/10/2024

In the NLSY79 Household Record data for 2000 (R19), the family unit variables for the 16th and 17th household members were inadvertently omitted from the public release. These variables are now available in the current public release.

Corrections to 2018-2020 income and poverty status variables

Posted: 10/4/2024

A programming error caused incomplete input data to be used in the calculation of the TNFI and POVSTATUS variables in 2018 and 2020. The variables for respondents who received income from government programs (AFDC, food stamps, unemployment compensation, and/or SSI/SSDI) prior to the date of the last interview were updated to include these values. The corrections have been included in the current public release.

Corrections in NLSY79 Household Record data

Posted: 10/3/2024

In the NLSY79 Household Record data for 1996 (R17), the 11th and 12th household members incorrectly had codes of -4 (missing) or incorrect values for age and highest grade completed. The age variable for the 12th household member is not in the public release. The corrections have been included in the current public release.

Missing NLSY79 business investment variables 2020

Posted: 8/8/2024

Variables containing the amount used to establish or acquire businesses reported in the NLSY79 2020 survey (round 29) were inadvertently omitted from the public data release. The affected variables are:

R84181.00 AMOUNT R USED TO ESTABLISH/ACQUIRE THE BUSINESS JOB #01 (2020)
R84182.00 AMOUNT R USED TO ESTABLISH/ACQUIRE THE BUSINESS JOB #02 (2020)
R84183.00 AMOUNT R USED TO ESTABLISH/ACQUIRE THE BUSINESS JOB #03 (2020)
R84184.00 AMOUNT R USED TO ESTABLISH/ACQUIRE THE BUSINESS JOB #04 (2020)
R84185.00 AMOUNT R USED TO ESTABLISH/ACQUIRE THE BUSINESS JOB #05 (2020)

These variables have been included in the current public release.

Corrections in some employer ID, created, and Event History variables

Posted: 12/22/23, Updated 05/02/24

NLSY79 staff have identified a problem that affects the employer start and stop months for a small number of cases during the year 2020. These are cases in which the respondent reported an invalid skip [‘don’t know’ or ‘refuse’] for the start or stop month of employment. These corrected values are included in the current public release.

NLSY79 vehicle values 1985-1986

Posted: 3/19/2024

Due to differences in the manner in which questions about vehicle values were posed in 1985-1986, and 1987 forward, topcoding of the 1985-1986 variables were not treated consistently with other early asset survey years. The inconsistency has been corrected in the current public data release.

The affected variables are:

R17923.00 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY R/SPOUSE OWE ON VEHICLES INCLUDING AUTOMOBILES (TRUNC) (1985)
R17924.00 TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING AUTOMOBILES R/SPOUSE OWN (TRUNC) (1985)
R21554.00 TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY R/SPOUSE OWE ON VEHICLES INCLUDING AUTOMOBILES (TRUNC) (1986)
R21555.00 TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING AUTOMOBILES R/SPOUSE OWN (TRUNC) (1986)

The affected values have been updated in the current public release. This does not affect the “_REVISED” versions of these variables (R17923.01, R17924.01, R21554.01, R21555.01), which were created in the early 2000s using an updated method of topcoding.

NLSY79 variables missing from public release and erroneous value

Posted: 8/8/2023

A small number of NLSY79 variables are erroneously omitted from the current public release data. In addition, an erroneous outlier value is present for NFA_4C_SR000001.01 (T21649.00) in 2008.

In addition, researchers using NFA_4C_SR000001.01 should recode the outlier value of $150,000 to $15,000.

The erroneous value and missing variables listed below have been updated in the current public release.

Survey year (round)	Reference Number	Qname	Titles
2008 (r23)	T20762.00-T20763.00	Q13-3_SR000001 – Q13-3_SR000002	ESTIMATED INCOME FROM MILITARY SERVICE IN PAST YEAR (range)
2008 (r23)	T20789.00-T20790.00	Q13-9_SR000001 – Q13-9_SR000002	ESTIMATED AMT MONEY RECEIVED FROM FARM OR BUSINESS AFTER EXPENSES (range)
2008 (r23)	T21176.00	Q13-73D_TRUNC	TOTAL R/SPAR REC’D FROM LIFE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT IN 2007? (TRUNCATED)
2008 (r23)	T21623.00	Q13-131_SR000001	EST TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF FARM/BUSINESS/OTHER PROPERTY R/SPOUSE OWN (low range value)
2008 (r23)	T21664.01-T21664.08	NFA_4C_SR00002.01-06/11-12	EST MARKET VALUE OF VEHICLE ##
2010 (r24)	T30851.00	Q13-73D_TRUNC	TOTAL R-SPAR RECEIVED FROM LIFE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT IN 2009? (TRUNCATED)

Corrections To NLSY79 HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## variables

Posted: 6/14/2023

The HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.## variables for several jobs in NLSY79 survey year 2002 (round 20) do not correctly incorporate hours for a subset of respondents reporting hours worked as teachers.

The affected variables are:

R77690.00 HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.01 (2002) (72 cases affected)
R77691.00 HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.02 (2002) (13 cases affected)
R77693.00 HOURS_WORKED_WEEK_ALL.04 (2002) (2 cases affected)

These values have been updated in the current public release.

NLSY79 TNFW_TRUNC 2000-2016 Additional invalid missing values and topcode revisions

Posted: 5/9/2023

A small number of respondents for each of the most recent five NLSY79 rounds containing assets questions (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016) were assigned valid values for TNFW_TRUNC rather than -3/invalid missing values. This affected the assigned topcodes for those variables as well. In addition, the NLS program has conducted a review of income and assets topcoding and standardized these values. Adjustments have been made to a very limited number of values to reflect the current standards.

The affected variables are:

R69401.03 TNFW_TRUNC (2000)FAMILY NET WEALTH (TRUNC) *KEY*
R83787.03 TNFW_TRUNC (2004)FAMILY NET WEALTH (TRUNC) *KEY*
T21427.02 TNFW_TRUNC (2008)FAMILY NET WEALTH (TRUNC) *KEY*
T40458.02 TNFW_TRUNC (2012)FAMILY NET WEALTH (TRUNC) *KEY*
T56845.00 TNFW_TRUNC (2016)FAMILY NET WEALTH (TRUNC) *KEY*

The following number of cases are affected for each survey year:

Survey year	Cases set to -3/Invalid missing	# values changed (includes topcode revisions)
2000	19	154
2004	19	146
2008	20	149
2012	12	138
2016	14	134

The variables listed above have been updated in the current public release.

Read more about Errata for 1979-2020 Data Release

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NLSY79

Data errors

Errors in 1998 Total Net Family Income and Poverty Status variables

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

Documentation

2002 industry and occupation variables mislabeled

Misspelling in R17744.00 title

New variable

Data errors

Missing value codes for 40+ Health Module variables

Incorrect codes for 1993 Job 4 and Job 5

Uncorrectable data errors

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

Documentation

Incorrect value labels for 2002 and 2004 SMSA residence variables

User note: NLSY urban/rural residence variable

Data errors

Missing code on 2006 sex identification variable

Obsolete occupation codes incorrectly included in 2004 release

Incorrect data for previous employer numbers in 2002 and 2004

Missing flag for 2006 Retirement Expectations module

Various assets variables missing from current data release

Missing Mother Supplement matrix in 2006

Non-standard codes for CESD variables in 40+ Health Module

Error in revised income variables

Documentation errors

Incorrect titles and survey years for new assets variables

Erroneous comment notes on 2006 industry and occupation variables

Erroneous titles on 2006 industry and occupation variables

Additional data files

Uncorrectable data errors

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

Documentation

Errata for NLSY79 1979-2008 Mainfile and Work History release

User note: NLSY urban/rural residence variable

Erroneous promotion/position change years for 1996

Missing spouse occupation codes for 2006 and 2008

Incorrect data for previous employer numbers in 2002 and 2004

Missing flag for 2006 retirement expectations module

Error in revised income variables

Income from other sources, 1992

"In Jail" codes added to gap reasons for 1996-2004

Incorrect values for 2008 Highest Grade Completed variables

Incorrect data for 1996 Year of Last Interview

Missing 50+ Health Module scores for 2008

Erroneous State and County FIPS code combinations for multiple survey years

Interviewer identification number missing for 2004

Errors in 2008 region, urban-rural and SMSARES variables

Documentation errors

Erroneous titles on 2006 industry and occupation variables

1981 question names reversed

Ranges not updated for Work History Array variables

981 Employment Status Recode

Additional data files

Uncorrectable data errors

Missing occupation, industry and class of worker in 1994 data items

Missing information on union affiliation/collective bargaining in 1994 data items

2 missing cases in 1994 data items

Newest errata

Incorrect data for 1980 and 1989 class of worker variables in NLSY79 Employment History roster

NLSY79 errata and user notes for NLSY79 1979-2010 Mainfile and Work History release

Data correction for 2010 foreclosure question, posted March 2012

General health questions missing for 2010, posted April 2012

Data error - 2010 training variables missing, posted April 2012

Tenure for employer #3 in 2010 missing, posted May 2012

Business ownership quality of match variables missing, posted August 2012

Class of worker variables missing for 2010, posted November 2012

Previous employer number variables missing for 2010, posted November 2012

Job information questions missing for 2010, posted November 2012

XRND Month Began 1st Marriage corrections

1998 Work limitation function and value labels incorrect

Class of worker variables for 2010 missing from Beta Employer History Data, posted August 2013

"0" codes for class of worker variables recoded, posted February 2014

Data addition: Preliminary version of compiled incorporation status variables, posted May 2014

XRND Month Began 1^st Marriage corrections