This course is aimed at new users of Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study, as well as those who have so far made use only of simpler aspects of the data. The underlying structure of Understanding Society is complex, with various different data about individuals and the households in which they live. New and innovative features of the survey also add other layers of complexity. For example, the sample includes an ethnic minority boost sample: this sample and a small general population comparison group receive extra five minutes of questions. Analysing such data require good understanding of the data structure as well as the complex sample design. The Understanding Society team has tried to make this structure as transparent as possible through the way data are organised. However, even the number of different data sets can appear daunting. This course aims to guide the user through these apparent complexities, and ensure that they can effectively make use of as much of the data as they require for their own research projects.
The main focus is on the data reorganisation techniques required for different types of cross-sectional and longitudinal research, rather than the statistical techniques themselves, but it is informed by the ways in which data require to be organised for different statistical techniques. The course also provides information and guidance on the weights provided in the study and examples of how these may be used.
Participants will learn about the way Understanding Society is designed, which data are collected, how they are collected and how the data are structured and stored, how to prepare the files for analysis, how to find variables using the interactive online documentation and how to access data.
By the end of the two day course, participants will have a thorough knowledge of Understanding Society, from survey design to data-set structure, and will have the tools to make the most of a rich, but complex, data set.
Continuing to use the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS)
After 18 waves, the long running BHPS sample has been integrated into Understanding Society (second wave onwards). This means that now BHPS sample members receive the same questionnaire as the rest of Understanding Society sample members and their data are provided in the Understanding Society data files. Participants who want to continue using the BHPS as a stand-alone longitudinal dataset will learn about issues of question continuity, how to identify BHPS sample members, and which sample weights to use. Similarities and differences of the BHPS from Understanding Society will be highlighted.
A basic working knowledge of Stata is required.
For further details and to book a place please visit the event page
Presented by:
Alita Nandi, Gundi Knies, Simonetta Longhi
Date & time:
29 Nov 2012 09:30 am - 30 Nov 2012 16:00 pm