In this case, the NLSY97 cohort was selected in step 1 (see Figure A.2.2).  After selecting a specific NLS cohort, users can peruse the data set and choose the variables they need through several search index options (described in the next section).  Utilizing drop-down menus, researchers can search indexes for Variable Title, Area of Interest, Survey Year, Reference Number, and Question Name.  If preferred, users can also search for any word in the variable title, question name, or question text.  In addition, the search indexes include a “not” option to exclude particular variables from a search.

Figure A.2.2  NLS Web Investigator Search Screen

During this search process, filters can be used to focus the search to specific variables of interest.  Researchers can use more that one search index at a time; for example, a user could search for variables in the Child Care area of interest for the 2002 survey year (round 6) only.  Filters can also be layered, so that more than one search term can be used in a single index; for example, a researcher could first use the Word in Title index to find variables containing the word “parent” and then fine-tune the variable list by saving the “parent” filter and searching for words like “contact” (see Figure A.2.3.) or “characteristics.”

Figure A.2.3  Using Filters in NLS Web Investigator

As users identify variables of interest, they can mark or save these variables in a “tag set,” essentially a saved list of variables of interest.  Users can save tag sets in their accounts on the central database server for up to 90 days and access the saved tag sets from any computer; tag sets can also be saved on the researcher’s local machine for as long as desired.

Once a tag set of variables is formed, researchers can run simple statistics such as frequencies and cross-tabulations (with or without round-specific weights) via the Web Investigator.  If more detailed data analysis is required, researchers can produce a data extract file with SAS or SPSS statements or a Stata dictionary for use on a local computer with the user’s own statistical software.  Results are received quickly, usually in less than a minute.  Users can save the frequency, table, and extract files to their local computer or access the files from their personal NLS Web Investigator accounts.  Extracts and tables are saved for 4 days.

NLSY79 Search Indexes

Several different search indexes are available within NLS Investigator for finding and selecting variables of interest.  These indexes are described in greater detail below.

Word in Title. All words, numbers, and symbols found in any variable title form an index in the data set.  The “Word in Title” search function allows the user to search this index and select NLSY79 variables whose titles contain any single word or combination of words. 

Area of interest. NLSY79 data files are organized so that variables sharing a common factor are stored in unique groupings called “areas of interest.”  Users can browse through a given area and examine the variables associated with that topic. 

Survey year. This index lists variables by survey round. Because each round includes thousands of variables, this index is best used in combination with another type of search.

Reference number. Researchers can use this index to look up a specific variable by reference number.  In general, this is most useful when the researcher needs to double check a known variable; simply browsing by reference number is not recommended.

Additional Functions

NLS Web Investigator offers two key additional features to help researchers better understand and use NLSY79 data.

Custom weights.  The custom weighting program option that helps users to create a custom set of survey weights, which improves a researchers’ ability to accurately calculate summary statistics from multiple years of data.

Supplementary documentation.  In addition to a general user’s manual, NLS Web Investigator supplies user’s guides, questionnaires and other documentation for each cohort.  Items available online for the NLSY79 include an HTML version of this user’s guide, questionnaires from each round of the survey, main file and geocode codebook supplements for each round, and the technical sampling report, which provides statistical information about the selection of the initial NLSY79 sample.  Questionnaires are provided in various formats, depending on the technology used to produce them; for the first several rounds the questionnaires are in Word or PDF format, while more recent rounds have fully linked HTML questionnaires that permit researchers to follow various question paths through the instrument.  Similarly, codebook supplements from the first few survey rounds are PDF files, while more recent rounds are in HTML format.

Return to top

A.3 How to Get Help

Sometimes users have questions about the NLSY79 data, database retrieval software, or documentation. The following are strategies for finding answers to these questions.

On-line and Paper Documentation Help: CHRR provides both online and paper documentation help sources for users. The online help is present in the database retrieval software program. Press the F1 function key at any time in the NLS Web Investigator to receive online help.

Paper documentation includes the NLSY79 User's Guide, the NLS Handbook, the Compact Disc User's Guide, and assorted supplemental hard copy documentation (see Table A.1.1). The NLSY79 paper documentation contains the answers to most questions. Researchers should note that Appendix E in this guide defines a number of commonly used NLSY79 terms. If the problem is confusion over the use of a specific term, this appendix is the best source of information. The User's Guides and other publications are available online at http://www.bls.gov/nls/.

Frequently Asked Questions: Table A.3.1 provides answers to commonly asked questions about the NLSY79 data and accessing the NLSY79 data.

Additional Support: If questions arise which are not answered in the documentation, contact NLS User Services:  usersvc@chrr.osu.edu

Table A.3.1 Frequently Asked Questions