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Creating length of residence variable for BHPS and UKHLS using plnowy4, plnowm, mvyr, mvmnth and mvever

Added by Albert Ward about 2 years ago. Updated about 2 years ago.

Status:
Resolved
Priority:
Normal
Assignee:
-
Category:
Questionnaire content
Start date:
08/27/2022
% Done:

100%


Description

Hi,

I'm trying to construct a length of residence variable for several waves from the harmonised BHPS / UKHLS.

From looking at the universe, I think the best way to do this is using the plnowy4, plnowm, mvyr, mvmnth and mvever variables; however, I am a little confused as to which respondents these questions are presented to, and why they aren't available for all waves of the harmonised BHPS/UKHLS. I've looked through the forum but can't find a definitive answer.

As far as I understand:

- I can use plnowy4, plnowm to compute residential length (using date of interview) for those who have been interviewed previously, where they have not lived continuously at a household that hasn't moved, or where the household has moved.
- For new joiners, who have not lived at their address their whole lives I can use mvyr and mvmnth.
- For new joiners who have lived at their address their whole lives, I can use mvever.
- I would obviously carry all of these forward where applicable for unavailable responses in subsequent waves.

My questions:

1. Why are mvyr, mvmnth and mvever not available for waves 2-18 of the BHPS? : e.g. https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/dataset-documentation/variable/mvyr. What did the survey do for new joiners in these cases?
2. When the question asks the month / year of moving to the respondent's current address, and where the respondent has not lived continuously at this address, does this apply to the first date when they first moved in, or to the current period of residence?

Would you be able to help with this? Or to point me to a guide that might show better how to approach this? Apologies if I am misunderstanding anything - please say if so.

Many thanks

Actions #1

Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team about 2 years ago

  • Private changed from Yes to No

Many thanks for your enquiry. The Understanding Society team is looking into it and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We aim to respond to simple queries within 48 hours and more complex issues within 7 working days.

Best wishes,
Understanding Society User Support Team

Actions #2

Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team about 2 years ago

  • Category set to Questionnaire content
  • Status changed from New to Feedback
  • % Done changed from 0 to 80

Hi Albert,

1) For the BHPS you should use plnowy4 which is available across all waves, ba_mvyr is actually just a duplicate variable created as a part of the harmonisation, but it corresponds to the plnowy in the BHPS questionnaire (you can find the pdf here: https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/questionnaires). In other words, mvyr was not asked in the BHPS, this question was split into mvyr and plnowy only in the UKHLS.
2) The question item doesn’t specifically clarify this so we can’t be certain but we’d expect respondents to infer we mean the date of this most recent move/return. The preamble tells the respondent we’re interested in changes since the last interview so the following questions, including this one, are framed to refer to the period since last interview.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Piotr,
UKHLS User Support Team

Actions #3

Updated by Albert Ward about 2 years ago

Hi Piotr,

Thanks for your reply - that's very helpful!

Best,
Albert

Actions #4

Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team about 2 years ago

  • Status changed from Feedback to Resolved
  • % Done changed from 80 to 100
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