NLSY97
The NLSY97 consists of a nationally representative sample of
approximately 9,000 youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31,
1996. Round 1 of the survey took place in 1997. In that round, both the
eligible youth and one of that youth's parents received hour-long personal
interviews. In addition, during the screening process, an extensive
two-part questionnaire was administered that listed and gathered
demographic information on members of the youth's household and on his or
her immediate family members living elsewhere. Youths are interviewed on
an annual basis.
The NLSY97 is designed to document the transition from school to work
and into adulthood. It collects extensive information about youths' labor
market behavior and educational experiences over time. Employment
information focuses on two types of jobs, "employee" jobs where youths
work for a particular employer, and "freelance" jobs such as lawn mowing
and babysitting. These distinctions will enable researchers to study
effects of very early employment among youths. Employment data include
start and stop dates of jobs, occupation, industry, hours, earnings, job
search, and benefits. Measures of work experience, tenure with an
employer, and employer transitions can also be obtained. Educational data
include youths' schooling history, performance on standardized tests,
course of study, the timing and types of degrees, and a detailed account
of progression through post-secondary schooling.
Aside from educational and labor market experiences, the NLSY97
contains detailed information on many other topics. Subject areas in the
questionnaire include: Youths' relationships with parents, contact with
absent parents, marital and fertility histories, dating, sexual activity,
onset of puberty, training, participation in government assistance
programs, expectations, time use, criminal behavior, and alcohol and drug
use. Areas of the survey that are potentially sensitive, such as sexual
activity and criminal behavior, comprise the self-administered portion of
the interview.
One unique aspect of the NLSY97 is that Round 1 contains a parent
questionnaire that generates information about the youths' family
background and history. Information in the parent questionnaire includes:
parents' marital and employment histories, relationship with spouse or
partner, ethnic and religious background, health (parents and child),
household income and assets, participation in government assistance
programs, youths' early child-care arrangements, custody arrangement for
youth, and parent expectations about the youth.
Additional efforts provide information that will greatly enhance the
research uses of the NLSY97. In 1997 and early 1998, the NLSY97
respondents were given the computer-adaptive version of the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery (CAT-ASVAB). The CAT-ASVAB comprises 10 tests
that measure knowledge and skill in a number of areas including
mathematics and language.
High School Transcripts. In spring of 2000, high school transcripts were
collected for NLSY97 born in 1980 and 1981 who provided written permission to contact their schools.
A second phase of collecting the remaining high school transcripts began in 2004. [More
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In 1996 and again in 2000, surveys were conducted of all schools with a
12th grade in the statistical sampling areas in which NLSY97
respondents reside. The surveys gathered information about the
characteristics of each school, the staff, and the student body. [More]
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Last Modified Date: September 14, 2006