Support #2333
open
Missing indresp and _dv harmonised variables in UKHLS download (SN 6614)
50%
Description
Hello,
I’m working with the dataset Understanding Society: Waves 1–15, 2009–2024 and Harmonised BHPS: Waves 1–18 (SN 6614) and I’m having difficulty accessing the harmonised individual-level variables.
After downloading the full dataset via the UK Data Service, the only files available in my ukhls folder are:
- a_indresp.dta through n_indresp.dta (wave‑specific files)
- xwavedat.dta
- xwaveid.dta
However, the mainstage INDRESP file (e.g., indresp.dta) is not included in the download, and therefore I cannot access any of the harmonised *_dv variables such as:
- religion_dv
- ethnicity_dv
These variables are essential for my analysis in my dissertation, but they do not appear in any of the files provided in the download package.
I have checked:
- the “Datasets” dropdown on the UKDS page
- the full ZIP contents
- the ukhls folder
- all wave‑specific *_indresp files
- xwavedat and xwaveid
None of these contain the harmonised INDRESP file or the *_dv variables.
Could you advise how I can access the correct INDRESP file containing the *_dv variables?
Thank you very much for your help.
Best wishes,
Molly
Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team 13 days ago
- Status changed from New to Feedback
- % Done changed from 0 to 50
Hello Molly,
While INDRESP is the root name of the datafile with most information collected during adult interview, the name of the file for each wave has a prefix a, b,.... reflecting the wave (a is for 1, b is for 2 and so on). So, the UKHLS folder of the SN6614 zipped folder you downloaded should have the datafiles a_indresp... o_indresp files, which is what you say you found when you downloaded SN6614.
Harmonization in the dataset title refers to the harmonisation of variables found in the 18 waves of BHPS and the UKHLS waves. The BHPS folder in the downloaded folder includes datafiles ba_indresp, bb_indrep,...br_indresp. During the harmonisation exercise variables that were found to be harmonizable across the two, were given the same name. So, you will find variables with the same root name across these files and a_indresp, b_indresp.
The religion_dv and ethnicity_dv are not variables included in these files. Where did you come across these variables? That will help us understand the issue.
Best wishes,
Understanding Society User Support Team
Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team about 7 hours ago
- Category changed from Harmonisation to Derived variables
- Private changed from Yes to No