st: How to use dataset where each record relates to a specific number of observations (weights?)

[Nick Petschek <nick.petschek@gmail.com>]

Dear Statalist,

I have two (basic) questions.  I would very much appreciate direction
on either or both!

1. How do I use a dataset where each record (row) is representing more
than one observation?  Specifically, there is a variable NUMBER which
denotes how many observations the record refers to.  Abstractly I
understand that each record would just need to be multiplied by
NUMBER.  At the moment I am only looking to run cross-tabs but do not
understand how to get STATA to incorporate the variable NUMBER (which
I believe could be similar to weighting?).

For example, I want the naturalization rates of foreign born
populations using NAT (1 if naturalized 2 if not) COUB (country of
birth) and COUNTRY (country of residence) to find the percent of each
foreign born group naturalized in each host country.  I have run:

by NAT, sort : tab COUB COUNTRY

However this does not capture the fact that each record refers to a
distinct number of observations.



2. I am sure there must be a more straightforward way to obtain the
results I am looking for, with the above code I have been exporting to
excel and then doing the final percent calculation.  Is there a more
straightforward way to tell STATA what I want?  Ideally I want my
results to look like this:

                 COUNTRY
COUB          1            2            3
A              %nat      %nat      %nat
B              %nat      %nat      %nat
C              %nat      %nat      %nat



Many thanks for advice or direction,

Nick
nick.petschek@gmail.com

-- 
Nicholas S. Petschek
Master's Candidate | Tufts University
Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning | 2012
MALD at The Fletcher School | 2012
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