WT06 is a 16-digit numeric variable reporting the ATUS respondent probability weights. This variable can be used in all years.
Description
WT06 provides ATUS respondent weights based on the weighting methodology introduced in 2006. WT06 is available for all years and is the preferred weighting variable to use for most analyses. It is the only weighting variable that is suitable for use in analyses that combine time use data from 2006 and later with data for earlier years. The methodology used to construct WT06 ensures that the sums of the respondent weights add up to the appropriate number of weekday person-days and weekend person-days over the quarter, both for the population as a whole and for selected subpopulations.
All ATUS weights are probability weights. Users should take care to specify them properly in their statistical packages.
Because the ATUS sample is not a simple random sample, standard errors calculated using the default options in most statistical packages will not be correct. Calculation of correct standard errors requires the use of replicate weights. RWT06 may be used in conjunction with WT06 for this purpose; for further details, see the description of RWT06.
Comparability
Several different estimation weight variables, constructed using slightly different methodologies, exist for the ATUS. Estimation weights should be chosen based on which samples are included in analyses. For most applications, WT06 is the preferred weighting variable.
WT06 is not available for the 2020 data. Researchers comparing 2019 and 2020 data should use WT20.
Weights derived using the 2003 weighting methodology are available only for 2003 and cannot be used in analyses that pool 2003 ATUS data with data for any other year. Users who pool 2003, 2004 and/or 2005 data but do not use data for 2006 or later may use WT04.
Each weight variable may be used together with the corresponding set of replicate weights. RWT06 should be used in conjunction with WT06.
Universe
- ATUS respondents.
Availability
- 2003-2019, 2021-2023
