Coding of parental occupations ICCS Marker Training Hamburg, July 2007

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Open-ended questions in StBQ

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Response codes using ISCO classification Framework recommended by International Labour Organisation (ILO) Currently being updated to ISCO-08 ICCS will have to use ISCO-88 Scores will be recoded into SEI scores (International Socio-economic Index) Some modifications of ISCO-88 classification!

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Coding tools ISCO manual (ISCO-88) published by ILO in 1990 – at/publ/index.htmhttp:// at/publ/index.htm –Also available in French or Spanish ( tat/isco/isco88/major.htm ) tat/isco/isco88/major.htm Countries could also use available national occupational classifications –Codes need to be converted into ISCO-88 afterwards

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Valid reasons for using national classifications No translation of ISCO manual into country’s language available Centre has coders who are familiar and experienced with national classification Using national classification makes data more useful for national analysis

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 ISCO-88 classification Structure –Major groups (first digit) –Sub-major groups (second digit) –Minor groups (third digit) –Unit groups (fourth digit) Mapping to occupational status –International Socio-economic Index (SEI) –Recoding of unit groups to SEI scores

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Modifications of ISCO General Managers’ classified as ‘[Small Enterprise] General Managers’ and ‘Department Managers’ as ‘[Large Enterprise] Department Managers’ Several categories of armed forces personnel (including similar civilian occupations) Distinction between ‘academic teachers’ (2321) and ‘vocational teachers’ (2322)

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Modifications of ISCO ‘Traditional Chiefs and Heads of Village’ (1130) was modified to cover all local (as opposed to national) officials. Distinguished ‘Oilers and Greasers’ from other mechanics and fitters Other codes for very broad categories:(1240) ‘Office managers’, (7510) ‘Non-farm manual foremen and supervisors’, (7520) ‘Skilled workers/artisans’, (7530) ‘Apprentices’, (8400) ‘Semi-skilled workers’

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Modifications of ISCO Additional codes: –9501 for home duties –9502 for student –9503 for social beneficiary (e.g. unemployed, retired, etc.) –9504 for “I don’t know” and similar responses –9505 for vague responses

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 General coding instructions Only ISCO-88 codes should be submitted Questionnaire responses to be entered into EXCEL spreadsheet (template provided) Read-only backup copies should be made –WARNING: Incorrect sorting in EXCEL can be dangerous!!!

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Coding procedures Enter data into EXCEL spreadsheet (with ID and indicator of father and mother) Sort occupations by job title Coding in sorted spreadsheet is more efficient and reliable than direct coding of hard-copies Make sure that ALL relevant columns are sorted (mark columns first!)

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Rules for coding - 1 Coders should not interpret according to own interpretations but follow instructions Coders should only use information provided by the two open-ended responses

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Rules for coding - 2 Begin by looking at job title (B04a/B06a) –if job title is sufficient for coding select appropriate ISCO code –if job title is not sufficient, use job description to find appropriate code If more than one job title is provided, select first job for coding unless job description indicates otherwise

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Rules for coding - 3 Every pair of responses should be coded to the most detailed level possible (4 digits) –If not possible, closest aggregated level should be selected (e.g. “teacher”) –Aggregated codes should be revised by supervisor of coding procedures National centres should always apply the rules described in ISCO Manual (ILO, 1990) –“Approaches to some specific issues” –“Notes to some particular occupations”

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 National coding instructions - 1 National coding index should be supplemented with –National ICCS Coding Instructions When using national classifications instead of ISCO-88 –add specific coding instructions for modified occupational categories –add any other necessary coding instructions for ICCS coding

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 National coding instructions - 2 Try to obtain national coding instructions from –relevant office for statistics in your country –(or) International Labour Organisation (ILO) If no external version can be obtained, instructions will have to elaborated based on ICCS guidelines –Field trial data should then be used as a basis for coding index for the main study

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Coder training and queries Training material –National ICCS coding instructions –Should be obtained from relevant statistical body in country and adapted for ICCS purposes In case of coding problems –First try to resolve at national centre between coder and supervisor –If it cannot be resolved try to use other national expert advice –As a last resort, contact ISC

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 National expertise Try to engage expert in national labour statistics This person should not be directly involved in coding but give advice to supervisor in especially difficult cases The ISC will try to help but national experts will have greater knowledge regarding country-specific coding problems

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Coders and coding - 1 ISCO coders should be: A.Literate and reasonably intelligent, but not over-eager to display independence of judgment as this may lead them to find the task demeaning or frustrating. B.Clerically accurate and careful. C.Willing and able to follow detailed instructions conscientiously, without attempting to alter or improve upon them, and prepared to raise queries in cases of genuine doubt. D.Honest and trustworthy and thus not likely to falsify or omit procedures in order to reduce the amount of work to be done per case, or for other reasons. E.Persistent and willing to work steadily for long periods. F.Able to work reasonably rapidly and to maintain a steady level of productivity

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Coders and coding - 2 Screening test may used during recruitment to check some of the criteria recommended by the ILO It is recommended to have two coders with one supervisor Ensure support from specialist with experience in this area (if available) Training should mainly consist of practical instruction under close supervision

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Double-coding Higher quality of coding may be achieved by using double-coding –use of two separate spreadsheets –comparison can provide data on reliability and differences may be reconciled When training coders national centres may want to use double-coding of sub- set of responses

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Submission of occupational data Ensure that all students have valid ISCO-88 codes Check that no sorting errors have occurred –compare with backup copy!!! EXCEL spreadsheet with occupational codes should be submitted to IEA DPC together with data files

ICCS Marker Training Hamburg July 2007 Questions or comments?