How to Measure Employment Status and Occupation in Analyses of Survey Data?

Abstract

This article presents issues relevant for including employment status and occupational position in analyses of survey data. It describes the employment statuses distinguished by International Labour Organization (ILO) and discusses their internal heterogeneity and possible overlaps. Further, it presents the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) and discusses its usefulness for social research. It finishes with the presentation of scales (prestige and socio-economic status) and classifications (EGP and ESeC). The discussion is illustrated by examples of questions and data from large international surveys, such as the European Social Survey, the European Values Study, and the International Social Survey Program.

Keywords

• employment status
• occupational position
• isco
• prestige
• prestige scale
• socio-economic position