Understanding Society User Support

Dear Stephanie
the way $_HIQUAL_DV works is that we start off with the school qualifications recorded in qfhigh (or qfachi), qfvoc/trqual/newqual and then adjust this with any higher vocational qualifications recorded in the latter variables. Note that the way this is asked in the BHPS is different, in particular the qfhigh component.

$_HIQUAL_DV records the current status highest educational or vocational qualification. The data in this variable is up-dated each year from $_QFHIGH, $_QUALNEW and $_TRQUAL to include the most recent qualifications of new entrants and existing panel members. $_HIQUAL_DV is fed forward and then updated with new qualifications obtained. From Wave 2 onward this also includes information fed forward from the BHPS. Note that the code frames of the BHPS and the UKHLS variables do not align perfectly. In particular, for the BHPS fed forward $_HIQUAL_DV will assume a value of 1 if a respondent's highest educational and qualification (wQFACHI wQFEDHI) equals 1 or 2, a value of 2 if wQFACHI equals 3. If wQFACHI assumes a value of greater 3, then the following rules apply (ordered and as long as $_HIQUAL_DV=-9): $_HIQUAL_DV=3 if wQFACHI =4,6 or 10; $_HIQUAL_DV=4 if wQFACHI =5 or 7. $_HIQUAL_DV then considers vocational qualifications (wQFEDHI): $_HIQUAL_DV=5 if wQFEDHI==4, 6, 8 or 11 and $_HIQUAL_DV=9 if wQFEDHI==12 or 13. Educational qualifications recorded in $_QFHIGH $_QFVOC1-$_QFVOC15 $_QUALNEW $_TRQUAL are considered as follows: $_HIQUAL_DV=1 if the respondent has reported to have a "University Higher Degree (e.g. MSc, PhD)" or "First degree level qualification including foundation degrees, graduate membership of a professional Institute, PGCE 2, 1st degree or equivalent"; $_HIQUAL_DV=2 if the respondent has a "Diploma in higher education", "teaching qualification (excl. PGCE)", "Nursing or other medical qualification not yet mentioned", or an "Other higher degree"; $_HIQUAL_DV=3 if the respondent has an "A Level", "Welsh Baccalaureate", "International Baccalaureate","AS Level" or "Higher Grade/Advanced Higher (Scotland), or "(international) certificate of 6th year studies"; $_HIQUAL_DV=4 if the respondent has "GCSE/O level "; $_HIQUAL_DV=5 if the respondent has "CSE". An "Ordinary/Standard Grade" is treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=4 (if no higher qualification was obtained). "Other school (inc. school leaving exam certificate or matriculation) are treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=5. Vocational qualifications are then considered as follows (if no higher qualification was obtained): "Youth training certificate", "Key Skills", "Basic skills" and "Entry level qualifications (Wales)" are treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=5. "Modern apprenticeship/trade apprenticeship" is treated as $_HIQUAL_DV= 3. "RSA/OCR/Clerical and commercial qualifications (e.g. typing/shorthand/book-keeping/commerce)", and "City and Guilds Certificate" are treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=5; "GNVQ/GSVQ", "NVQ/SVQ - Level 1 - 2" are treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=4; "NVQ/SVQ - Level 3 - 5" is treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=3; "HNC/HND" is treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=2. "ONC/OND", "BTEC/BEC/TEC/EdExcel/LQL", and "SCOTVEC, SCOTEC or SCOTBEC" are treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=3. "Other vocational, technical or professional qualification" is treated as $_HIQUAL_DV=5.

Note that there was a coding error in $_HIQUAL_DV: Certificate of sixth year studies was incorrectly treated as GCSE. This will be corrected in the next release (which is planned for November this year).

In order to get an idea about the difference between qfachi and qfedhi it is best to consult the origin fields in the BHPS documentation. Judging from the respective variables' value labels I think it is fair to assume that qfachi relates to only schooling qualifications while qfedhi includes vocational qualifications also.

Hope this helps,
Gundi