1) Files contained in the anes2010_2012egss2.zip:


anes2010_2012egss2.sav			SPSS .sav file
anes2010_2012egss2.dta			Stata .dta dataset
anes2010_2012egss2_codebook.txt		Frequency Codebook
anes2010_2012egss2_dat.txt		Raw data file

sas.zip					SAS syntax files
 anes2010_2012egss2_cod.sas
 anes2010_2012egss2_col.sas
 anes2010_2012egss2_fmt.sas
 anes2010_2012egss2_md.sas
 anes2010_2012egss2_run.sas
 anes2010_2012egss2_lab.sas
 
spss.zip				SPSS syntax files
 anes2010_2012egss2_cod.sps
 anes2010_2012egss2_col.sps
 anes2010_2012egss2_md.sps
 anes2010_2012egss2_run.sps
 anes2010_2012egss2_lab.sps
 
stata.zip				Stata syntax files
 anes2010_2012egss2_cod.do
 anes2010_2012egss2_col.dct
 anes2010_2012egss2_fmt.do
 anes2010_2012egss2_md.do
 anes2010_2012egss2_run.do
 anes2010_2012egss2_lab.do 


_cod = code labels
_col = columns 
_fmt = formats
_md = missing data
_lab = variable labels


2) Note on the raw data file

The raw data file (anes2010_2012egss2_dat.txt) included in this release is both fixed column and bar (|) delimited.


3) Note on 'version' variable

The second variable on the raw data file is the 'version' variable. This includes the version of the data
and the date of production for these data.


4) Instructions for using SAS, SPSS, and Stata syntax files

The following will allow users to create SAS, SPSS, or Stata datasets using the syntax
files available from the ANES website: First, move the raw data file and all syntax files
to one directory (e.g. 'C:\anes\anes2010_2012egss2\20131009'). Second, edit the 'run' files to
include the pathname to the directory where the files reside. The pathname must be added 
to each line that references the raw data file, any of the input syntax files, and the
output file statements (SPSS and Stata). In the SAS 'run' file, the pathname must also be added
to the libname statement. In the case of Stata, in addition to adding pathnames to the 'run'
file, users will need to add the pathname to the first line of the dictionary file (.dct) 
where the raw data file is referenced. Third, execute the edited 'run' file which will 
create a SAS, SPSS, or Stata data files in the directory previously specified by the user.
Missing data statements are, by default, commented out in the 'run' file. Users may restore
them by removing the asterisk (*) at the start of the relevant line.

