What does the label of my variable actually tell me ?

[Sofie Rose]

I'm kind of confused how my variables are defined or what is the difference between some of my variables.
What does actually my label tell me ? and is there a page where i can actually check for different labels ?

[daniel klein]

I have no clear idea what you are looking for, but technically the variable label tells you just what someone has typed after

label variable varname

Best
Daniel

[Sofie Rose]

okay but is there actually a way to see how someone defined a variable ?

[daniel klein]

Nope. There are user-written commands that help you record the way you generate variables (e.g. labgen, SSC). Knowing what others did in defining variables involves either a detailed code book or data report and/or access to the do-files that were used.

Best
Daniel

[Nick Cox]

Your dataset contains at most variable names, variable labels, value labels and notes (more generally characteristics) about your variables.

If notes exist, describe will tell you.

If those combined don't tell you what you want to know you have to go back to whoever provided your dataset.

If replies so far don't answer your question, you are going to need to work much harder at asking a clear question.

[Sofie Rose]

okay thanks. I think i figured it out. I went back to the provider of my dataset. I guess now notes exist.