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Support #2318

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Missing variables in data set

Added by Marie Moller 1 day ago. Updated about 12 hours ago.

Status:
Feedback
Priority:
Normal
Category:
Data documentation
Start date:
01/21/2026
% Done:

50%


Description

Hi. I am working on my undergrad dissertation and I was planning on using the Understanding Society Wave 2 data set because I thought it had the all the relevant variables for my analysis, which I identified using the Understanding Society website´s variable search. However, when I went to download the Wave 2 data from UK data service I could not find either a specific Wave 2 data set nor all the variables that were meant to be in wave 2 in other data sets which included wave 2 in its range e.g. Understanding Society: Longitudinal Teaching Dataset, Waves 1-9, 2009-2018. I am specifically looking to use these variables which were all said to be in Wave 2 according to the variable search on the Understanding Society website:
- fimnnet_dv: Total net personal income - no deductions where “net” refers to net of taxes on earnings and national insurance contributions.
- tenure_dv: Housing tenure. Differentiates between the following tenures: Owned outright, Owned with mortgage, Local Authority rented, Housing Association rented, Rented from employer, Rented private (unfurnished), Rented private (furnished), Other rented, Missing.
- jbnssec8_dv: Current job: Eight categories version of the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) > occupational class reflects typical income stability and labour-market power, but not actual wealth
saved: Monthly amount saved (About how much on average do you personally manage to save a month?)
- qfhigh_dv: Highest educational qualification ever reported
- arts2freq: Arts events frequency (You said you had been to [LIST OF SELECTIONS FROM ARTS2A + ARTS2B]. Thinking about {if one event mentioned at ARTS2A/ARTS2B} this event / {if more than one event mentioned at ARTS2A/ARTS2B} all these events, how often in the last 12 months have you been to events such as this? Remember only include events attended in your own time or for the purposes of voluntary work.)
- arts1b13: Arts activities: b: Read for pleasure (not newspapers, magazines or comics)
- arts2a2: Arts events: a: Exhibition or collection of art, photography or sculpture (leisure activity and time use)
- arts2b11: Arts events: B: Classical music performance (leisure activity and time use)
- volun: Volunteer in last 12 months (In the last 12 months, have you given any unpaid help or worked as a volunteer for any type of local, national or international organisation or charity?)
- volfreqI: Frequency of volunteering (Including any time spent at home or elsewhere, about how often over the last 12 months have you generally done something to help any of these organisations?)
- tuin1: Member of workplace union (Are you a member of TUJBPL = 1this TUJBPL = 2|DK|REFany trade union or association?)
- club: sports club member (Are you currently a member of a sports club {if one sport mentioned at SPORTS1/SPORTS2/SPORTS3} to do this sport / {if more than one sport mentioned at SPORTS1/SPORTS2/SPORTS3} to do at least one of these sports?
- ypnpal: How many close friends would you say you have? Please enter the number.
- scfrely: Can rely on friends ((Thinking about your friends...) How much can you rely on them if you have a serious problem?)
- racel: ethnic group

What data set should I look to for these variables to be included?

Actions #1

Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team about 12 hours ago

  • Category set to Data documentation
  • Status changed from New to Feedback
  • % Done changed from 0 to 50
  • Private changed from Yes to No

Hello Marie,

The dataset you need is SN6614: Understanding Society – Waves 1–15 (2009–2024) and Harmonised BHPS – Waves 1–18 (1991–2009), which is available via the UK Data Service at https://datacatalogue.ukdataservice.ac.uk/studies/study/6614

I recommend reviewing the “Access Understanding Society data” section on the Understanding Society website (https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/documentation/access-data/), which explains the different access routes available for the study. You may also find the New User Pathway (https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/new-user-pathway/) particularly helpful, as it outlines how new users can explore the data and make use of online resources when getting started.

Regarding the variable racel, I recommend using racel_dv or ethn_dv instead. These are derived variables computed post-fieldwork, going through a formal quality control process. In contrast, racel only contains information for new entrants in each wave.

I hope this information is helpful

Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team

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