How Does Data Access Shape Science? The Impact of Federal Statistical Research Data Centers on Economics Research

Abhishek Nagaraj and Matteo Tranchero

No 31372, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: How does access to data shape the rate, quality, and policy relevance of academic research? To shed light on this question, we study the impact of access to confidential microdata through the progressive geographic expansion of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs). FSRDCs boost the use of confidential microdata and help applied researchers publish more policy- relevant articles in top outlets. Besides direct data usage, this effect also reflects spillovers: exposed researchers are encouraged to explore topics related to FSRDC-enabled findings and employ similar empirical methods. Our findings underscore the importance of data access for scientific progress and evidence-based policy formulation.

JEL-codes: C81 H00 L86 O33 O38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-sog
Note: PR
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.nber.org/papers/w31372.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31372

Ordering information: This working paper can be ordered from
http://www.nber.org/papers/w31372

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc National Bureau of Economic Research, 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by ().