Computer-based coding of free-text job descriptions to efficiently identify occupations in epidemiological studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mapping job titles to standardised occupation classification (SOC) codes is an important step in identifying occupational risk factors in epidemiological studies. Because manual coding is time-consuming and has moderate reliability, we developed an algorithm called SOCcer (Standardized Occupation Coding for Computer-assisted Epidemiologic Research) to assign SOC-2010 codes based on free-text job description components.

Methods

Job title and task-based classifiers were developed by comparing job descriptions to multiple sources linking job and task descriptions to SOC codes. An industry-based classifier was developed based on the SOC prevalence within an industry. These classifiers were used in a logistic model trained using 14 983 jobs with expert-assigned SOC cod

SUBMITTER: Russ DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4871757 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature