Description

IMPEARNFLAG4 is a generated variable that indicates whether the value in the variable EARNIMP4, earning status, was directly reported (IPUMS NHIS code 1) or was imputed (IPUMS NHIS code 2).

The complementary variable EARNIMP4 was created as part of a set of variables that provide complete (i.e., without missing values) data on family income; the accompanying flag variables allow researchers to identify in which cases imputation was used. For more details on the purpose and methodology of imputation used in the NHIS, see EMPSTATIMP1.

Before using the imputed income and earnings variables, researchers are strongly advised to read the National Center for Health Statistics documentation on imputed income, such as 2018 Imputed Family/Personal Earnings Files and "Multiple Imputation of Family Income and Personal Earnings in the National Health Interview Survey: Methods and Examples".

Comparability

IMPEARNFLAG4 is mostly comparable over time. However, rules determining earning status changed between the period 1997-2000 and 2001 forward. In the former period, earnings status was not imputed (i.e., IMPEARNFLAG4 equals1) when adults reported whether they worked for a job or business last week or reported whether they worked for pay in the past year. Starting in 2001, earnings status was not imputed (i.e., IMPEARNFLAG4 equals 1) when adults reported whether they worked for pay in the past year.

Universe

Availability

• 1997-2018

Weights

• 1997-2018 : PERWEIGHT