Urban Studies Research Methods Workshop - Economic & Political Data: Tips & Contact

If you already have identified the source of your data or statistics and you need help subsetting the data, preparing the data, or analyzing the data, consultants are available via Zoom or email.   Hours vary.  See https://dss.princeton.edu/dsslab/  For quick questions email data@princeton.edu.

• Summary statistics are aggregated counts of survey or administrative data.

• Microdata is survey or administrative data about an entity (person, family, establishment).
• There is typically around a 2 year time lag from the time the data is collected to the time of release.
• What exists for the nation, may not exist subnationally.  The smaller the level of geography, the less data tends to be available.  We do have a fair amount of state level data for the United States.  City level data is often of a case study type or only available for very large cities.
• Many micro-level datasets are restricted and it is not uncommon to wait a year before getting permission or denial to use the data.  Most subnational microdata is restricted when available.  
• Always look at the methodology.