Matching Households During 1995

As was the case with previous redesigns of CPS, we will be revising the geographic identifiers on the CPS public use files to incorporate the new sample and utilize the updated (June 30, 1993) metropolitan area definitions. We plan to introduce these new definitions on the September 1995 public use file. During this changeover, however, we must take steps to prevent the matching of households containing different sets of detailed geography. We do this in accordance with Title 13, United State Code, to protect the confidentiality of our respondents. Specifically, we will revise our household identification numbering scheme to preclude matching across time frames with different sets of geographic variables.

This changeover, along with revisions to the internal census household numbering scheme, have revised the methodology for some matching of households across CPS public use files. In general, this follows the pattern of ten years ago in that data for the three separate time frames are only matchable (within the constraints of the CPS rotation pattern) to itself. These time frames are:

1. Data collected in or prior to May 1995.

2. Data collected in June, July, or August of 1995.

3. Data collected in or after September 1995.

Given below are procedures for matching households using data collected in 1994 or 1995:

A. 1993 to 1994:

Continue using the 12-digit household identification number as before.

B. January 1994 through May 1995:*

`Use either the FIPS or Census State Code in combination with the 12-digit household ID number and the serial suffix.

C. June 1995 through August 1995:*

Use the household ID number in combination with state and serial suffix for household matching. Also note that during this three month period, there will be no substate geographic identifiers carried on the CPS public use files.

D. September 1995 Files Forward:

Use the household ID number to match households.

If you have any questions regarding the changeover to the new geographic identifiers and matching of households, call Greg Weyland on (301) 457-3806. See the May 1994 issue of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' issue of Employment and Earnings or call Donna Kostanich on (301) 457-4275 for further information regarding CPS sample redesign.

*You will also need the use of these three fields if you want to place the file in a household sort or group household records together.

October 1995

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