Using the Intermediate Data Structure (IDS) to Construct Files for Statistical Analysis

The use of longitudinal historical micro-level demographic data for research presents many challenges. The Intermediate Data Structure (IDS) was developed to try to solve some of these challenges by facilitating the storing and sharing of such data. This article proposes an extension to the IDS, which allows the standardization and storage of constructed variables. It also describes how to produce a rectangular episodes file for statistical analysis from data stored in the IDS and presents programs developed for such purpose.