Description
STRATANN is an IPUMS MEPS-constructed variable based on the annual variance estimation strata variable in the public use files. STRATANN represents the impact of sample design stratification on estimates of variance and standard errors. IPUMS staff generate STRATANN by concatenating YEAR and the original AHRQ-provided variance estimation strata variable, VARSTR. It is appropriate to use STRATANN to generate annual estimates for all years. For pooled analyses including years before and after 2002 or before and after 2019, analysts should instead use the pooled variance sampling strata variable, STRATAPLD. For analyses limited to the years 2002-2018 or 2019-forward, STRATANN is suitable for use in annual and pooled analyses.
From 1996-2001, values of STRATANN were statistically independent from year to year. Between 2002-2018 and for 2019-forward, values of STRATANN are constant within sample design period. For analysis, researchers need to use STRATANN in conjunction with PSUANN to account for stratification and clustering when computing variance estimates with MEPS data using a Taylor-series Linearization approach. For more information, please see our user note on variance estimation using IPUMS MEPS data.
STRATANN is an 8-digit numeric variable, where the first four digits are the same as the YEAR value.
Universe
- 1996-2021: All persons.
Availability
- 1996-2021
Weights
IPUMS does not provide weighting information for this variable.
Please see the STRATANN tab for more information
