IPUMS
IPUMS has created a series of screencasts which describe how to access and extract IPUMS data sets. This page catalogs those screencasts which are relevant for our work--the screencasts are organized by data source. Here is the link to the channel which has these screencasts and more. We've put these screencasts into a logical order. Although the screencasts refer to particular data sets in the IPUMS system (e.g. USA or CPS), most of the information applies to most or all of the data sets. In general, differences in displays and functionality are quite minor.
(1) Registration
The first step is to get an account at IPUMS. This account applies across at least the CPS, USA, and IHIS platforms.
IPUMS-USA Registration Tutorial
(2) Extracting the Data
The next step is to select the data you want. The following tutorial gives a very quick explanation of how to do this.
IPUMS-CPS Extract System Tutorial
If you would like to see instructions on paper, this document (pdf) "Instructions for Using the IPUMS Data Extraction System" is a good introduction to how to obtain a data extract. It covers how to find and select variables, how to select samples, how to select particular cases (e.g. only people aged 18 or more), and finally how to submit the extract.
(3) A Closer Look at Variable Descriptions
It is crucial that you select the right variables for your analysis and understand exactly how each variable is defined. This screencast takes a closer look at what you can learn about variables from IPUMS.
How to Navigate the IPUMS Variable Description
(4) Formatting the Data
Once you have extracted the data you want, you need to specify the format you want to use to analyze the data. Two popular choices are Stata and text. The first screencast in this section shows how to format the data as a Stata data set:
IPUMS Format Data Extract Tutorial
The second screencast demonstrates how to format the data as a text (actually csv) file:
(5) Uncompressing the downloaded data
We don't have a good video for this, but the data will arrive as a compressed file and you will need to use unzipping software such as 7-Zip to uncompress the data file. The first part of the following video shows this process, but the rest of the video describes an overly complicated way of working with the data that you won't need to use if you have formatted the data as a Stata file (see screencast in step (4) above):
IPUMS-USA Tutorial - Open file in Stata
(6) Additional topics
You can add information to the data set about spouses or parents of the individuals. This is called "Attaching Characteristics" and is described in this screencast:
IPUMS-USA Attaching Characteristics Tutorial
Integrated Health Interview Series (IHIS)
The next three screencasts discuss the Integrated Health Interview Series (IHIS)
International Databases
The following three screencasts discuss IPUMS's international databases.
IPUMS International Registration Tutorial
IPUMS International Samples Description Tutorial
IPUMS International Extract System Tutorial
This screencast discusses the American Time Use Survey.
ATUS-X Extract Builder Tutorial
North American Population Project
The next two screencasts discuss the North American Population Project (NAPP)