Codes and Frequencies
Description
IMPEARNFLAG5 is a generated variable that indicates whether the value in the variable EARNIMP5, earning status, was directly reported (IPUMS NHIS code 1) or was imputed (IPUMS NHIS code 2).
The complementary variable EARNIMP5 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
IMPEARNFLAG5 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., IMPEARNFLAG5 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., IMPEARNFLAG5 equals 1) when adults reported whether they worked for pay in the past year.
Universe
- 1997-2000: Persons age 18+ who worked at a job or business last week, or who did not work last week but worked for pay last year, or whose employment status is imputed as employed for pay.
- 2001-2018: Persons age 18+ worked for pay last year, or whose employment status is imputed as employed for pay.
Availability
- 1997-2018
Weights
- 1997-2018 : PERWEIGHT
