Search Variables

The variable search tool allows researchers to find data elements of specific interest and, where applicable, to discover the question text used in collecting each variable. The search tool also reports and links variables derived from the combination of other variables (indices, multi-variable measures, etc.) and root variables which have been used in the creation of such derived variables.

browse variables by study

Compare Variables

Compare variables using the checkboxes and the "Compare" button on the search results page.

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 variables dealing with all education.
    science education
    will return only variables dealing with education with some element of science involved.
  • Use quotes to search for specific phrases: "science education" "classroom observations" "teaching mathematics"
  • The minus sign may be used to remove certain types of results:
    "Teaching mathematics" -calculus
    will eliminate variables related to teaching mathematics that specifically mention calculus.
  • The search automatically does stemming (e.g., search results will be the same for "developmental" and "developmentally"); there is no need to use an asterisk.
  • Search is not case-sensitive. (e.g., "computer science" and "COMPUTER SCIENCE" will return the same results.)