Data Dictionary
As part of the meta-data management of LSAC, a Data Dictionary has been developed. The Data Dictionary functions as a meta-database with a web-based front end such that the product is easily accessed by all users. To print hard copies of the data dictionary select the PDF or Excel spreadsheet version below.
Wave 4 Data Dictionary
- Access the Data Dictionary database
- Data Dictionary - Excel [12.6 MB]
- Data Dictionary - PDF [8.2 MB]
- Time Use Data Dictionary - Excel [33 KB]
- Glossary for the data dictionary
- Topic constructs
Derived variable code database
An additional database has been developed to contain code provided by users of the data to derive variables not originally on the datasets.
Derived variable code database
Using the online Data Dictionary
The online Data Dictionary functions as a meta-database with a web-based front end such that the product can be easily accessed by all users. It is updated by LSAC staff as the need arises, so can be useful if users do not wish to download the latest version of the full spreadsheet of the data dictionary to get the latest information.
This page provides an overview of the Data Dictionary contents, descriptions of provided views and examples of effective searching strategies. Seen below is an example of the view provided by the Data Dictionary.
Two views are provided on the on-line data dictionary:
- A general view which gives a variable name, question, responses and population information for a number of fields at a time.
- A detailed view which displays all fields, but for only one record at a time.
The on-line data dictionary can be shifted into find mode by clicking the magnifying glass near the top left hand corner of the screen. Search terms can be entered into each field, either through drop down boxes or through typing keywords into the field boxes. Clicking the Perform Find button will return all the records that match the criteria given. For example if we wanted to find all the Parenting variables completed by Parent 2 for the B-cohort, the figure below shows how this search could be performed by selecting “B” for the “Cohort” field, “Parent 2” for the “Person Label” field and, “Parenting” for the “Topic” field.
