National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth for Ages 16-17 (Synthetic Microdata File)

• Overview
• Survey documentation
• Downloading the synthetic microdata file
• Teacher support materials
• Lesson plan
• What teachers are saying
• For further information

Overview

The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) is a unique study of Canadians from birth to adulthood.

This data file is a synthetic file based on the NLSCY data containing 359 records. It represents 359 youth, approximately one fifth of the 16-17 year old cohort who completed the survey in 2002-2003. In order to preserve confidentiality for the respondents, each record in the synthetic file contains both real and artificial data. Real data are data provided by a respondent, while artificial data are computer-generated plausible values. One of the objectives in creating synthetic records is to identify records with similar pathways through the questionnaire, so that when random swapping is done between these similar records, the resulting synthetic record looks more like a reasonable and likely response. A secondary objective is to preserve, at least approximately, the marginal distributions of variables and the relationships between closely related variables from the master microdata files.

For this reason, the synthetic file should not be used to produce estimates for formal analysis and publication. The synthetic data provides sufficiently accurate results for use by high school students to practise statistical analysis techniques. Detailed information on the synthetic files is provided at http://www.statcan.gc.ca../../dli-ild/data-donnees/ftp/nlscy-elnej/nlcsy-elnej-cycle5-synthetic-eng.htm.

The questions were divided into the following seven categories:

• Section A: Friends and Family
• Section B: About Me
• Section C: Feelings and Behaviours
• Section D: Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs
• Section E: Health
• Section F: My Relationships
• Section G: My Parent(s)

Survey documentation

• Questionnaire (PDF)
• Microdata user guide (PDF)

Downloading the synthetic microdata file

Statistics Canada has provided the synthetic microdata in three file formats:

• CSV (Comma Separated Values) which allows you to access each table in any spreadsheet application
• XLS (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet) that can be viewed with Microsoft Excel
• Fathom (Fathom is licensed by the Ministry of Education and used by schools in some provinces. Providing the Fathom format is in no way an endorsement or recommendation of the Fathom software by Statistics Canada.)

If you are using a PC without Microsoft Excel and wish to view the data in Excel spreadsheets, download Microsoft Excel Viewer 97. As a convenience to users, Statistics Canada sometimes provides files in proprietary formats. We do not, however, provide technical support. If you require assistance, please contact www.microsoft.com.

Users who prefer SAS or SPSS formats can obtain the synthetic data directly at http://www.statcan.gc.ca../../dli-ild/data-donnees/ftp/nlscy-elnej/nlcsy-elnej-cycle5-synthetic-eng.htm

Teacher support materials

• Description of items in NLSCY dataset
• Introductory activity
• Lesson plan
• Analysis ideas for teachers

What teachers are saying

• Teacher feedback

For further information

If you have any questions about using the microdata, contact Learning resources Team, Statistics Canada at mdm4u@statcan.gc.ca.