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Canada Needs Better Data for Evidence-Based Policy: Inconsistencies Between Administrative and Survey Data on Welfare Dependence and Education

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  • Rebecca N. Warburton
  • William P. Warburton

Abstract

This study compares administrative and survey data on BC welfare (social assistance) recipients, to test whether survey data is sufficiently accurate for use in policy-oriented research. BC welfare and education data is compared to the 1994 Public Use Microdata (BC sample) of Statistics Canada's Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). BC 1994 SLID significantly understates welfare dependence, and overstates education levels of BC welfare recipients. Statistics Canada should lead a national initiative to make provincial administrative datasets available for research; and should use these data to improve key national longitudinal social research surveys such as SLID, NLSCY, and NPHS.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca N. Warburton & William P. Warburton, 2004. "Canada Needs Better Data for Evidence-Based Policy: Inconsistencies Between Administrative and Survey Data on Welfare Dependence and Education," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 30(3), pages 241-256, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:30:y:2004:i:3:p:241-256
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. V. J. Hotz & J. K. Scholz, "undated". "Measuring Employment and Income for Low-Income Populations with Administrative and Survey Data," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1224-01, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.
    6. Bernard Fortin & Guy Lacroix & Jean-François Thibault, 1999. "The Interaction of UI and Welfare, and the Dynamics of Welfare Participation of Single Parents," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 25(s1), pages 115-132, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Brzozowski & Thomas F. Crossley, 2011. "Viewpoint: Measuring the well‐being of the poor with income or consumption: a Canadian perspective," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 88-106, February.
    2. Roos, Leslie L. & Brownell, Marni & Lix, Lisa & Roos, Noralou P. & Walld, Randy & MacWilliam, Leonard, 2008. "From health research to social research: Privacy, methods, approaches," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 117-129, January.
    3. Whitaker, Stephan D., 2018. "Big Data versus a survey," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 285-296.
    4. Elliot M. Goldner, 2005. "Foundational Elements for Mental Health Reform in Canada," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 31(s1), pages 35-40, August.
    5. Hansen Jorgen, 2007. "Human Capital and Welfare Dynamics in Canada," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 1-29, June.
    6. Ronald D. Kneebone & Katherine G. White, 2009. "Fiscal Retrenchment and Social Assistance in Canada," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 35(1), pages 21-40, March.
    7. Jule Adriaans & Peter Valet & Stefan Liebig, 2020. "Comparing administrative and survey data: Is information on education from administrative records of the German Institute for Employment Research consistent with survey self-reports?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 3-25, February.
    8. Nathan Berg & Todd Gabel, 2013. "Effects of New Welfare Reform Strategies on Welfare Participation: Microdata Estimates from Canada," Working Papers 1304, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Feb 2013.

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