Codebook Introduction extracts:

>> CUMULATIVE DATA FILE - CODEBOOK INFORMATION


The following example describes the general format for Cumulative Data File
codebook variable documentation. 

1  VCF0310        R Interest in the Elections
2  
3  QUESTION:
4  ---------
5  Some people don't pay much attention to political campaigns.  How
6  about you, would you say that you have been/were very much interested,
7  somewhat interested, or not much interested in (1952-1998: following)
8  the political campaigns (so far) this year?
9  
10 VALID_CODES:
11 ------------
12 1.  Not much interested
13 2.  Somewhat interested
14 3.  Very much interested
15 9.  DK
16 
17 MISSING_CODES:
18 --------------
19 0.  NA; no Pre IW
20 Inap. question not used
21 
22 NOTES:
23 ------
24 1988 NOTE:
25 This question was present in both the pre and post.  The pre version is 
26 represented here.
27 1992 NOTE:
28 same as 1988
29 2002 NOTE:
30 same as 1988
31 2004 Note:
32 same as 1988
33 
34 WEIGHT:
35 -------
36 VCF0009/VCF0009a
37 
38 TYPE:
39 -----
40 Numeric  Dec 0
41 
42 SOURCE_VARS:
43 ------------
44 1952:  520044  
45 1956:  560097  
46 1958:  580075  
47 1960:  600098  
48 1962:  620039  
49 1964:  640157
50 1966:  660087  
51 1968:  680130 
52 1970:  700201(type 0)
53 1972:  720163 
54 1976:  763031  
55 1978:  780043
56 1980:  800053  
57 1982:  820058  
58 1984:  840075  
59 1986:  860059  
60 1988:  880097  
61 1990:  900062
62 1992:  923101  
63 1994:  940124 
64 1996:  960201  
65 1998:  980201
66 2000:  000301  
67 2002:  023001
68 2004:  043001

Line 1 - VARIABLE NAME.

Line 1 - VARIABLE LABEL.

Line 5-8 Actual question text for survey variables or a description of 
         non-survey variables (for example, congressional district number).

Lines 12-15
         Valid code values are listed with descriptive labels.  For
         continuous variables, one line may appear providing the range
         of possible values.

Line 19-20
         Values which are assigned to missing by default in the Study's
         SAS and and SPSS data definition files (.sas and .sps files).

Line 24-32
         When present, annotation provided by Study staff is presented
         below the question text/description, preceding code values.
         Specification of weights usable with the variable is always
         provided.

Line 36 - Weight variable to use with this variable.

Line 40 - CHARACTER or NUMERIC.  If numeric and the variable is a decimal
         rather than integer variable, the numer of decimal places is 
         also indicated (e.g. "Numeric  Dec 4")

Lines 44-68
         The variable numbers from source individual studies are provided.
         Data in these variables from the individual NES time-series studies
         were combined to produce the Cumulative Data File variable.
         For years not listed, the question was not administered /the
         non-survey variable was not constructed (in that year).  
         (For a description of the NES 'numbering' system in general use
         for variables within all NES datasets, see the annotation
         preceding variable documentation in this codebook).

>> CUMULATIVE DATA FILE - VARIABLE DESCRIPTION LIST


       Variables are not sorted by variable number but organized topically 
       into the following general groupings (by variable number within
       groupings:)

         - ADMINISTRATION/PROCESSING
         - DEMOGRAPHICS 
         - GROUP THERMOMETERS
         - PARTISANSHIP; PARTY MEASURES
         - PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL EVALUATIONS
         - TRUST; MASS SUPPORT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM (incl trust in people)
         - TURNOUT, VOTE, PARTICIPATION, MEDIA EXPOSURE
         - RESPONDENT IDEOLOGY AND ISSUE POSITIONS/VIEWS
         - CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL MEASURES (and Senate)
         - VOTE VALIDATION
       

   ADMINISTRATION/PROCESSING
   -------------------------

   VERSION   ANES Version Number                                         
   VCF0004   Year of Study                                               
   VCF0006   Study Respondent Number                                     
   VCF0006a  Unique Respondent Number                                    
   VCF0009   Type 0 General Weight Variable                              
   VCF0009a  Type 0 Weight - Post-Stratified Pre                         
   VCF0010   Type 1 General Weight Variable                              
   VCF0010a  Type 1 Weight - Post-stratified Pre                         
   VCF0011   Type 2 General Weight Variable                              
   VCF0011a  Type 2 Weight - Post-Stratified Pre                         
   VCF0012   Form Filter - Paper Questionnaire                           
   VCF0012a  Pre CAI Question Selection                                  
   VCF0012b  Post CAI Question Selection                                 
   VCF0013   Post Data Present                                           
   VCF0014   Pre Data Present                                            
   VCF0015a  Abbreviated Interview - Pre                                 
   VCF0015b  Abbreviated Interview - Post                                
   VCF0016   Panel/Cross Case                                            
   VCF0017   Mode of Interview                                           
   VCF0018a  Pre Language of Interview                                   
   VCF0018b  Post Language of Interview                                  
   VCF0050a  Pre - R Level of Political Info                             
   VCF0050b  Post - R Level of Political Info