On initial encounter, the IPUMS website can be a little confusing. There are lots of links to FAQs, documentation, tutorials, and exercises. You can find answers to most of your questions but it requires wading through a lot of links and browsing pages. Use this page to gain a familiarity with the basic functions that you will need regardless of the IPUMS project you choose.
You will need to CREATE AN ACCOUNT to use the IPUMS system, which will allow you to log into most of the IPUMS projects. (A few projects require additional permissions.)
Demonstrates how to choose a data sample, select variables, choose output options, and create your dataset for use in Excel, Stata, SAS, or SPSS.
Demonstrates how to use the online system to perform statistical operations and create aggregated datasets from the microdata.
Demonstrates how to understand the descriptions and documentation of the variables being used.
"The data extract system can attach a characteristic of a person's mother, father, or spouse as a new variable on the person's record. For example, using the variable "Occupation," it can make a new variable for "Occupation of mother." All persons in the extract who reside in a household with their mother would receive a value for this new variable. The attached-characteristics feature uses the constructed IPUMS family interrelationship "pointer variables" that identify co-resident mothers, fathers, and spouses for each person. The pointer variables identify social mothers and fathers, not strictly biological parents."
