1. LAMAS Working Group 29 June-1 July 2016
Agenda Item 5.1 Standardisation of variables
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2. Overview
Standardisation of social variables – scope and consultation process of the exercise
P1 and P2 variables – current situation and next steps
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3. Standardisation of social variables
2005: First initiative to standardise social variables
TF on core social variables (CSV)
Increase possibilities of cross-cutting analyses
Promote use of CSV in all social surveys
2007: TF report = guidelines
2011: updated methodological guidelines
IESS framework regulation
Implementation of standardised variables strengthened through inclusion in legislation
§ on 'elements common to several datasets'
Implementing measure to define technical items such as list and description of variables
Applies to standardised variables = own implementing act
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4. Scope of the exercise Variables used in more than one EU social survey
Concepts and data transmission categories to be standardised
Aim: detailed methodological manual ('standard descriptions')
Some precise information into implementing act on common elements
27 (28) variables concerned
18 core variables: in all data collections
P1: 13 variables
P2: 14 (15) variables
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5. Consultation process for standard descriptions
Eurostat proposal
Consultation of lead working group
Consultation of other working groups
'All working groups agreed' draft to DSS for open issues and approval
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6. P1 variables (1) 13 P1 variables 3 labour market P1 variables
Work started in 2014; some changes to list during consultations
3 labour market P1 variables
At LAMAS in December 2014 and June 2015
Main activity status (self-defined)
Full- or part-time main job (self-defined)
Permanency of main job
All P1 variables at DSS in February 2016
Open issues: date of birth, household matrix
Written consultation after DSS
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7. P1 variables (2) Revised version to DSS board (end June)
Agreement on age
For transmission: year of birth, passing of birthday and reference date
Further discussion on household matrix at EU SILC WG
LM variables largely considered as agreed
One change proposed for 'main activity status'
'Permanently unable to work'  'Unable to work due to long-standing health problems'
Final approval at DSS meeting in October 2016
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8. P2 variables (1) 14 variables
3 LM variables, agreed by LAMAS in June 2015
Status in employment in the main job
Economic activity of the local unit for main job (economic sector)
Occupation in main job
'Economic activity' and 'occupation' further aligned to P1 format
Level of detail for data transmission added
Same approach as used elsewhere (e.g. educational attainment level); nested structure
Level of detail is set for each data collection, i.e. no optional transmission at a higher level of detail
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9. P2 variables (2) Same process as for P1 variables
Eurostat proposals about to be finalised
Written consultation of all working groups to be launched soon
To DSS in October 2016 for opinion on open issues and approval
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10. LAMAS is invited to take note of:
the progress and partial approval as regards the standard descriptions of P1 variables;
the written consultation of all P2 variables, planned to be launched before summer 2016 / soon.
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