[EB] "Extra" variables in Euro-Barometer 44.0 (ICPSR 6721)

[Peter Granda]

    Paul:

      The coding scheme for Question 8 for Eurobarometer 44.0 is part of
the original data file.  The labels for all responses are available in both
the SPSS data definition file and in the codebook itself.  Since there are
many nation-specific questions in these surveys, the original data
producers have often qrouped these questions in separate sections of the
documentation.  In this case in just so happened that some countries had
more responses than others about why they were for or against the common
currency.  

       It is also important to emphasize the note in these original
codebooks that they are provided only as a guide to the survey questions
and that users should see the SPSS data definition statements for changes
in coding schemes.  The SPSS file not only provides all the information
about variable locations/missing data, etc., but also lists the variables
which are still under embargo as well.  The study abstracts also alert
users to check the SPSS file for possible embargoes.  Since the embargos
may change over time, they are not included in the original codebook
produced at the time the data is originally released.

       By the way, the embargoes for 44.1 are now lifted and ICPSR is
preparing the full data file for release.   

Peter

At 01:01 PM 12/3/98 -0500, Paul H. Bern wrote:
>
>On Wed, 2 Dec 1998, Peter Granda wrote:
>> 
>> James:
>
>> 
>>    Have a look at the document statements at the end of the file of SPSS
>> Data Definition Statements while you will find nation-specific variable
>> labels.  The 'extra' responses pertain to just a few countries.
>> 
>
>This method of notifying users of changes and other "gotchas" in the data
>is a real pain.  I just had a user find out, after hours of work, that the
>two questions he was most interested in were "embargoed" from the 44.1
>data.  Why is this information not included in the main documentation?
>
>
>Paul
>
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