National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), 1997

DESCRIPTION :   The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 ( NLSY79) consists of a nationally representative sample of approximately 9,000 youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31, 1996 . Round 1 of the survey took place in 1997. In that round, both the eligible youth and one of that youth's parents received hour-long personal interviews. In addition, during the screening process, an extensive two-part questionnaire was administered that listed and gathered demographic information on members of the youth's household and on his or her immediate family members living elsewhere. Youths are interviewed on an annual basis.  The NLSY97 is designed to document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. It collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. Employment information focuses on two types of jobs, "employee" jobs where youths work for a particular employer, and "freelance" jobs such as lawn mowing and babysitting. These distinctions will enable researchers to study effects of very early employment among youths. Employment data include start and stop dates of jobs, occupation, industry, hours, earnings, job search, and benefits. Measures of work experience, tenure with an employer, and employer transitions can also be obtained. Educational data include youths' schooling history, performance on standardized tests, course of study, the timing and types of degrees, and a detailed account of progression through post-secondary schooling.

CODEBOOKS : Codebooks are available on CD-rom obtainable from the CFDR office. The NLSY97 errata are also available at http://www.nlsinfo.org/nlsy97/nlsy97_errata.php3 .

DATA : Data from rounds 1 - 5 of the NLSY97 were released in May 2003. The event history file and the confidential geocode data file for rounds 1-5 were released in September 2003. The data can be downloaded free from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website as zipped files or through the NLSInvestigator which is a client/server software program that allows the user (client) to connect to a database of variables (on the server) and to perform extracts of variables in a specific database. The same data may be also obtained the NLS Investigator software by filling out a CFDR data request form or contacting the CFDR office at 372-7279.

WEBLINKS : http://www.nlsinfo.org/ordering/display_db.php3 - NLSY97 . A bibliographic database is available and is very useful.

CONDITIONS FOR USE : The NLSY97 Geocode data can only be made available to users who have successfully completed a geocode application and signed a confidentiality agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Y ou must first register online before we can distribute the data to you. Before gaining access to the NLSY97 Geocode data, please review the information athttp://stats.bls.gov/nls/nlsgeo97.htm .