IPUMS CPS provides data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). IPUMS CPS data are microdata, meaning each row or observation in the dataset represents a person or household, and each column represents a variable that provides information about that person or household, such as employment status or household size. IPUMS CPS provides harmonized versions of these data, which facilitates comparability over time. Our custom interface allows users to create a custom dataset of CPS data, selecting only the subset of samples and variables they want to use. There are two main ways to use IPUMS CPS data. I will explain them each here, and provide some information about variables you may want to use in your analysis.
The screenshot you sent is the IPUMS CPS data extract system. You can use the data extract system to create a custom extract of CPS data that includes only the sample(s) and variables you choose. I suggest you start with this two-minute video tutorial on how to use the data extract system. Once you’ve created your data extract, you will download it and analyze it using a statistical software package, such as R, Stata, SPSS, or SAS. See this blog post from IPUMS USA that covers how to open your data extract on your computer.
You can also use our online data analysis tool to create simple tabulations and graphs with IPUMS CPS data without needing to create a data extract. Currently, our online data analysis tool only supports analysis of data from the CPS Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), but very soon, we will offer the option to analyze Basic Monthly Survey (BMS) and non-ASEC supplement data online as well. See this instructions sheet or this video tutorial on the online tool to learn how to use it.
The variable EMPSTAT reports an individual’s employment status. IPUMS CPS offers a few different occupation variables. Because occupations in the population change over time, the categorization system the Census Bureau uses to classify and code occupations also changes occasionally. The variable OCC reports an individual’s occupation using the occupation classification system that was in place at the time of the survey. All years from 2006-2010 use the same occupation classification system, so this variable should be appropriate for your purposes (IPUMS CPS also provides harmonized occupation variables OCC1990 and OCC2010 for users who wish to analyze occupation across time periods that use different occupation classification systems).
thank you.