Tech Notes

March CPS metro/nonmetro migration estimates (original files), beginning with 1986, are wrong; estimated nonmetro net migration rates are overestimated, particularly in New England. The problem is related to miscoded respondents who changed from nonmetro to metro counts. When CPS switched from the 1973 SMSA definitions (based on the 1970 census) to the 1984 MSA definitions (based on the 1980 census and not including commuting results), current resident codes were switched but not previous residence codes, explaining why the problem began in 1986, the first year with the new definitions. Note that only previous residence in miscoded, therefore only out-migration is affected.

There is a problem with the allocation (i.e. imputation) flags in the Public User Files for the March CPS prior to 1983. ALL persons with negative earnings had their allocation flags set to indicate an allocation whether or not there actually was an allocation. (T. Devine 4/93)

In the files based on the 1989 processing methods (i.e., 1989 to present and the 1988 re-write), only some of the imputation flags are coded correctly. Specifically, some of the flags that indicate no imputation should indicated imputation--and there is no way of determining which ones are correct. (T. Devine 5/93).

Beginning in 1989, there is a new format. After the 1988 data were released, Census went back and created 1988 in the new format. So now three data tapes exist for 1988: old format, new format, and rewrite (in new format).

In 1994 file, for labor force status recode use person record variable PEMLR (column 705) instead of A-LFSR (column 145).

Users are advised that the 1960 occupation and industry code list should be used with the Current Population Survey Annual Demographic Files for 1968-1970 (ICPSR study #:  7559, 7560, 7561 respectively).

The 1960 occupation and industry recode list should be used with the Current Population Survey Annual Demographic Files for 1968-1971 (ICPSR study #: 7559, 7560, 7561, 7562 respectively).

The 1970 occupation and industry code list should be used with the Current Population Survey Annual Demographic Files for 1971-1975 (ICPSR study #: 7562, 7563, 7564, 7565, 7566 respectively).

The 1970 occupation and industry recode list should be used with the Current Population Survey Annual Demographic files for 1972-1975 (ICPSR study #: 7563, 7564, 7565, 7566 respectively).