National Longitudinal Surveys

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NLS

NLS Data Files

NLS public-use data are available in two ways at NLSinfo.org:

Browse, choose and save NLS data online using NLS Web-Investigator

Download NLS data, documentation and software to a personal computer at the NLS Product Availability Center. Data Availability | Confidential Data

Data Availability

The NLSY97 public-use file and restricted-access geocode file that include data from rounds 1-8 (1997-2005) are now available. The public-use and geocode files that include data collection through round 9 are expected to be released in October 2007.

The NLSY79 public-use file and restricted-access geocode file that include data from rounds 1-21 (1979-2004) are now available. The public-use file that includes data through round 22 (2006-07) is expected to be released in March 2008. The geocode file that includes data through round 22 is expected to be released in early summer 2008.

The NLSY79 Child and Young Adult public-use and restricted-access geocode files that include data collected in 2004 and all prior years are now available. The public-use and geocode files that include data collected through 2006 are expected to be released in early summer 2008.

The NLSW public-use files that includes data from 2003 and all prior years is available for researchers to use. No future collection of NLSW data is planned at this time.

Availability of Confidential Data

How to Request Access to the NLSY79, NLSY79 Young Adult, and NLSY97 Geocode Data
To protect the confidentiality of respondents, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) only grants access to geocode files for researchers in the United States who agree in writing to adhere to the BLS confidentiality policy and whose projects further the mission of BLS and the NLS program to conduct sound, legitimate research in the social sciences. Applications from abroad cannot be accepted. Applicants must provide a clear statement of their research methodology and objectives and explain how the geocode data are necessary to meet those objectives. Researchers who are granted access to NLS geocode files may use them at their own facilities, provided that the facilities meet BLS security requirements. More.

The geocode application document is available online at www.bls.gov/nls/geocodeapp.htm.

How to Request Access to the NLSY Zip Code and Census tract files and the NLSY97 School Survey Data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has opportunities available on a limited basis for researchers from colleges and universities, government, and eligible nonprofit organizations to obtain access to BLS data files not available on public-use or geocode files. These confidential files are available for use only at the BLS National Office in Washington, DC, on statistical research projects approved by BLS. Access to data is subject to the availability of space and resources at BLS. More information can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.

How to Request Access to the NLS Original Cohorts Geographic Variables
Please note there is a different process for obtaining confidential data about the original cohorts than the standard Geocode application used for the NLSY79, NLSY79 Young Adult, and NLSY97 cohorts. Information about the Original Cohorts Geocode data can be found at www.bls.gov/nls/origcohortgeo.htm.

National Longitudinal Surveys