Combining multiple years of ATUS data

Researchers planning to combine multiple years of ATUS microdata must be aware of changes to ATUS survey methods from 2003 to 2006. This page includes links to resources that that will assist researchers when determining how to create multi-year ATUS data sets and provides guidance about which population weighting variables are comparable between years.

Overview of changes to the ATUS survey methods

• Changes between the 2003 to 2006 Data Files (PDF)

Changes to the ATUS Coding Lexicons

• Differences between the ATUS 2003 to 2006 Coding Lexicons (PDF)
• Method for combining activity codes that changed from 2003 to 2006 (PDF)

Changes to the ATUS weighting method

The method used to generate statistical weights (the variable TUFINLWGT) on the ATUS files changed each year from 2003 to 2006. Thus, researchers who create multi-year data sets should not use the weighting variable TUFINLWGT for all years.

Users who combine multiple years of ATUS data must use weights that were generated using comparable methods. Coinciding with the release of the 2006 ATUS data, the variable TU06FWGT was added to the 2003 to 2005 Respondent and Activity Summary files. TU06FWGT is a weighting variable that was generated using the 2006 weighting method. Users who combine ATUS data for the years 2003 to 2006 should use the variable TU06FWGT to weight the 2003 to 2005 data and the variable TUFINLWGT to weight the 2006 data.

The variables TU04FWGT (on the 2003 files) and TUFINLWGT on the 2004 and 2005 files also were generated using comparable weighting methods. Researchers who combine the 2003 to 2005 data files can use this combination of weighting variables or the variable TU06FWGT for all years.

For more information about ATUS populations weights, why researchers should use them, and details about how the ATUS weighting method changed from 2003 to 2006, please see the ATUS User's Guide (PDF).

Last Modified Date: June 28, 2007