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Linking Federal Surveys with Administrative Data to Improve Research on Families

Author

Listed:
  • Amy O’Hara
  • Rachel M. Shattuck
  • Robert M. Goerge

Abstract

Linkage of federal, state, and local administrative records to survey data holds great promise for research on families, in particular research on low-income families. Researchers can use administrative records in conjunction with survey data to better measure family relationships and to capture the experiences of individuals and family members across multiple points in time and social and economic domains. Administrative data can be used to evaluate program participation in government social welfare programs, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of reporting on receipt of such benefits. Administrative records can also be used to enhance collection and accuracy of survey and census data and to improve coverage of hard-to-reach populations. This article discusses potential uses of linked administrative and survey data, gives an overview of the linking methodology and infrastructure (including limitations), and reviews social science literature that has used this method to date.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy O’Hara & Rachel M. Shattuck & Robert M. Goerge, 2017. "Linking Federal Surveys with Administrative Data to Improve Research on Families," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 669(1), pages 63-74, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:669:y:2017:i:1:p:63-74
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716216678391
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bruce Meyer & Robert Goerge, 2011. "Errors in Survey Reporting and Imputation and Their Effects on Estimates of Food Stamp Program Participation," Working Papers 11-14, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    2. Newman, Constance & Scherpf, Erik, 2013. "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Access at the State and County Levels: Evidence From Texas SNAP Administrative Records and the American Community Survey," Economic Research Report 262218, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Bruce D. Meyer & Wallace K. C. Mok & James X. Sullivan, 2015. "Household Surveys in Crisis," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(4), pages 199-226, Fall.
    4. Bruce D. Meyer & Nikolas Mittag, 2015. "Using Linked Survey and Administrative Data to Better Measure Income: Implications for Poverty, Program Effectiveness and Holes in the Safety Net," Upjohn Working Papers 15-242, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    5. Catherine G. Massey, 2014. "Creating Linked Historical Data: An Assessment of the Census Bureau’s Ability to Assign Protected Identification Keys to the 1960 Census," CARRA Working Papers 2014-12, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    6. David Card & Andrew K.G. Hildreth & Lara D. Shore-Sheppard, 2004. "The Measurement of Medicaid Coverage in the SIPP: Evidence From a Comparison of Matched Records," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 22, pages 410-420, October.
    7. Meyer, Bruce D. & Goerge, Robert M., 2011. "Errors in Survey Reporting and Imputation and Their Effects on Estimates of Food Stamp Program Participation," Contractor and Cooperator Reports 312394, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    8. Clifford Clogg & Michael Massagli & Scott Eliason, 1989. "Population undercount and social science research," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 559-598, December.
    9. Scherpf, Erik & Newman, Constance & Prell, Mark, 2015. "Improving the Assessment of SNAP Targeting Using Administrative Records," Economic Research Report 206417, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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