Dataversion
SOEP_CORE.v41eu_Stata
Data Set
SOEP
Please describe your problem
Dear SOEP team,
I am currently constructing a cross-sectional dataset of adults using SOEP data, and I have a question regarding the appropriate use of weights.
The final dataset contains one observation per individual. However, to construct the variables, I combine information from different SOEP datasets and different survey waves. In particular, I use retrospective information to obtain characteristics such as individuals’ place of birth, childhood residence, and school location. . I also use individual-level information from the pl dataset.
To construct the final dataset, I merge the different sources and then collapse the information at the individual level. For each variable, I keep the last available non-missing information across the waves. Therefore, the final observation for an individual does not necessarily correspond to a single SOEP survey year: different variables may come from different waves, including retrospective information.
Given this construction, I would like to ask whether there is any possibility of using SOEP survey weights for this type of dataset.
In particular, would it be possible to construct an appropriate weight by similarly collapsing the weights across waves, for example by keeping the weight corresponding to the last available information? Or would there be another recommended approach for weighting a cross-sectional dataset constructed in this way?
I would be very grateful for any guidance on how best to handle the weights in this setting.
Many thanks in advance!