The development of NEPScomp was motivated by the need for high-quality and comprehensively documented panel data that can be used for courses in empirical education and life course research as well as for student theses. Moreover, NEPScomp is intended to make it easier for interested researchers to get started with analyzing data of the National Educational Panel Study.
NEPScomp is a supplementary offering in the NEPS data portfolio. It is based on the regular Scientific Use Files for the starting cohorts 1 to 6, but features a considerably simplified data structure. For instance, each starting cohort has eight content-defined datasets in a common long format, which makes it much more convenient to combine information from different datasets. All measures for reducing complexity are described in detail in the Data Manual (currently only available in German, an English version is in preparation). This manual also includes tips and recommendations on how to handle the NEPScomp data.
Access to NEPScomp is provided through a NEPS Data Use Agreement. Once registered as a data user, the NEPScomp data package as well as the regular Scientific Use Files of all NEPS starting cohorts are available for download and use free of charge.
NEPScomp is conceptualized as a dynamic data product. Regular updates are planned to continuously improve the offering and further adapt it to the needs of the target groups. To this end, the FDZ-LIfBi has set up a special category on the public online platform “Forum4MICA” for broad exchange on NEPScomp-related issues.
NEPScomp: including download and documentation
NEPS Data Access: including application form
Forum4MICA: including NEPScomp category