Support #2261
open
Cross wave with hhresp datafile
50%
Description
Hello, I have an question about the cross variable identifier in the dataset. For reference I am using the datasets SN 6668 AND 6614 (UKdataservice).
I am conducting a difference in difference analysis using wave 1 and 10 and the datafiles of interest are indresp and hhresp. I realised there is a pdip in indresp datafile, but not in the hhresp. So I have linked the hhresp file of the same wave to the indresp file using the wave identifer a_pdip. I am wondering that beacuse I have linked these two datafiles together using the wave identifier, would I encounter issues when do a dif in dif analysis between wave 1 and 10 because there is not a pdip for the variable I am using from the hhresp file or will it be okay because it is already linked?
Please let me know and I look forward to your response.
Best,
Adele Chapman
Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team 2 days ago
- Category changed from Data analysis to Data documentation
- Status changed from New to Feedback
- Assignee changed from Adele Chapman to Understanding Society User Support Team
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Hello Adele,
Households in UKHLS are uniquely identified in each wave by w_hidp, a wave specific variable with a different prefix for each wave. It can be used to link information about a household from different records within a wave, but cannot be used to link information across waves. Since the composition of households can change between waves, the data do not include a longitudinal household identifier. For example, a_hhresp can be linked with a_indresp using a_hidp but not with b_hhresp.
Individuals are identified by the personal unique identifier (pidp), which is the same in all waves and can be used to link information about a person from different records belonging to one wave, or to link information from different waves. The cross-wave person identifier pidp is consistent across the harmonised BHPS and UKHLS files.
Therefore, you will need to merge first the household file with the individual file and then merge them across waves. For example, a_hhresp vs. a_indresp and j_hhresp vs. j_indresp using w_hidp and then a_hhresp-indresp vs j_hhresp-indresp by w_pidp.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team