As in any other field of applied macro-economic or econometric research, researchers who study income inequality have to look for suitable data. Although most researchers just draw on some ready-made dataset, finding reliable data is not that straightforward and can even be very troublesome. This paper highlights some of the pitfalls in the use of inequality data. We deal with sampling problems, the choice of equivalence scale, one dimensional inequality measures, etc. We also introduce and describe a new secondary dataset on inequality data for a number of OECD countries. The main innovation of the dataset is that it creates the possibility to perform a time series analysis on inequality data. The data bring to the fore an additional problem: non-stationary behaviour of inequality series.
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Find related papers by JEL classification: C82 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Macroeconomic Data O15 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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