Variables

Examine and compare variables across all datasets to find data elements of specific interest and, where applicable, to discover the question used in collecting each variable. The search results will also include variables derived from the combination of other variables (indices, multi-variable measures, etc.) and root variables used in the creation of derived variables.

Please note that not all datasets in our collection have searchable variables and associated questions. To locate datasets, use our main data search.

• List all ~350K variables
• List all studies with variable-level information
• List all series with variable-level information

Search Tips for Variables

• Enter words or strings that are likely to appear in a variable name, label, question, and value labels: education will return all variables dealing with education early childhood education will return only variables dealing with all three terms, early childhood education.
• Search is not case-sensitive.
• Stemming is automatic; no asterisk is needed (e.g., search results will be the same for "national" and "nationally").
• Multiple terms provide a focused results list with variables that matches all terms: elementary education federal funding i.e. elementary AND education AND federal AND funding
  • Add quotes to use an exact phrase: elementary education "federal funding" i.e. elementary AND education AND "federal funding"
• Use the minus (not the dash) sign to exclude results: "child development" -"school readiness"
• On the Variables Search Results page, you will be able to sort and filter to further refine results.