Dr. Kristi Winters (GESIS) and Janek Bruker (formerly of GESIS) discuss social science variable harmonization and harmonized data documentation practices. This is video 1 in a series of 4 videos and the video provides introductory information on social science variable harmonization. Topics in this four-part educational video series include: an introduction to social science variable harmonization, ex ante and ex post harmonization strategies, examples from international social science surveys (including the European Values Survey), the use of international standard classifications, and how to use metadata to construct FAIR variable harmonization documentation. This video was created for the Consortium of European Social Science Archives (CESSDA). For more information visit www.cessda.edu. The course material comprises the presentation "Variable Harmonization in the Social Sciences" (http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3924955) and the full series of 4 videos: 1. An Overview of Concepts and Strategies http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3924208 (This video is also available for viewing on Youtube) 2. Process, Challenges and Quality Criteria http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3924218 (This video is also available for viewing on Youtube) 3. International Standard Classification http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3924227 (This video is also available for viewing on Youtube) 4. Documentation and Best Management Practices http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3924241 (This video is also available for viewing on Youtube)