Understanding Society User Support

Hello Aelen,
You are correct, “fihhmngrs_dv” is the household income variable harmonised (BHPS + UKHLS).

If your analysis uses only data from one Wave, select the “xw” (cross-sectional) version of the weight. This weight is defined for all sample members who responded to the relevant questionnaire at a particular Wave. If your analysis uses data from multiple or consecutive waves select an appropriate “lw” (longitudinal) version of the weight. For example, if you are looking at waves 4 to 9, use the appropriate longitudinal weight from the last wave in your analysis (wave 9).

After you have decided on the population you want to generalise your results to and the questionnaire(s) you want to use, refer to these tables (https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/documentation/user-guides/mainstage/weights.pdf) to decide the appropriate weight for your analyses.

Alternatively, you can refer to Table: Naming convention for Understanding Society weights w_XxxYyZz_aa which makes it easy to choose the correct weight at https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/user-guides/main-survey-user-guide/selecting-the-correct-weight-for-your-analysis

Weight “indinui_xw” is for samples GPS, EMB, BHPS & IEMB and only for wave 6 onwards. You may use “indinub_xw” for waves 2 to 5 and “indinus_xw” for wave 1 if you are analysing interviewers and individuals 16+ years old.

For zero weights issues please refer to https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/user-guides/main-survey-user-guide/zero-weights

I recommend exploring the section “Selecting the correct weight for your analysis” at https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/mainstage/user-guides/main-survey-user-guide/selecting-the-correct-weight-for-your-analysis for further information.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team