Differences Between the March 1993 and March 1994 Annual Demographic Files
The only differences between these two files involved the creation of the Basic CPS (current employment status) items. A revised CPS was introduced in January 1994. This revision included the changeover to a completely computerized data capture system that replaced the majority paper and pencil data capture system used in 1993.
Along with this computerization, a completely new labor force questionnaire was introduced. This required the use of an entirely revised processing system for the basic labor force data. Many of the basic labor force items available on the 1994 file are the result of this changeover. As such, this information is not available on the 1993 and earlier versions of the CPS.
The major labor force information, in the form of the basic items and many recodes, is available on the 1993 file. There may be some nuances in the data that are not readily evident in the microdata information contained in this dataset.
For a complete overview of this changeover and its affect on the basic labor force estimates, see the February 1994 issue of "Employment and Earnings."
The article entitled "Revisions" covers this changeover in great detail.
Please note that these revisions only apply to the basic labor force and demographic data. The March supplement work experience, income (both cash and noncash) and migration data were collected using the same questionnaire as 1993.
Therefore, these data are fully equivalent. For two rotation groups, the health insurance questions were expanded as part of a test; but recoded prior to processing so that these data are also equivalent with previous years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Author: Greg Weyland-Census/DSD/CPSB
Contact: (ask.census.gov) CPS Help-Census/DSD/CPSB
Last revised: September 29, 1997
URL: http://www.bls.census.gov/cps/ads/1994/sfiledif.htm
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