Why are there so many different sample member selection options in ATUS-X?
Potential respondents to the ATUS were drawn from the outgoing rotation group of the Current Population Survey (CPS). The original ATUS public use files contain information on all sampled households and individuals whether or not they participated in the ATUS. To reach the broadest audience possible with our efforts, we have preserved much of the original detail in the public use files including household members of respondents and households in the CPS whose designated respondent did not participate in the ATUS.
We expect that most users will select the “ATUS respondents” samples. Though time use information is only available for designated respondents, users who are interested in the characteristics of other household members may wish to select “ATUS respondents and members of their households.” A number of variables pertaining to the characteristics of other household members are also available for selection directly through the ATUS-X data access system. Additional information about sample member selection options is available.