Data Access,Analysis,Custom Reports

If you have a need for data covering a specific topic and cannot seem to find it we can help you locate it, gain access to it, organize it so that it is easy to use, or do an analysis based on your specifications. If there are multiple sources of the data we can recommend the one that best suits your needs. Before you spend a ton of money collecting new data make sure you check on the availabilty of existing quality data.

Micro Simulation Models Using Survey Data

Micro Simulation models based on survey data help extend the scope of the data collected in the underlying survey. For example, individual federal income tax returns do not contain social or demographic characteristics about tax filers. Using the March CPS income supplement we developed a model that computes federal and state income taxes and payroll taxes for all survey respondents. Since the March CPS contains detailed social and demographic information this model opens the door to analyzing taxes by demographic characteristics.

We have also developed simulation models that predict the number of persons elibible for the Medicare Part D, the low-income component of the Medicare Drug Benefits. In this case estimates of eligibles drived from the model will permit measurement of the "takeup rate" for this program.

Survey Quality Evaluation

We think it is extremely important to understand the quality of the data you are using to make critical decisions. Our experience in this area includes years of work evaluating the quality of income and related data in large scale surveys include matching of survey data to tax returns and administrative sources in order to access the effects of response error, item nonreponse, and other sources of nonsampling error.

Software and Programming

We can provide you with custom software to manage and analyze your data that does not rely on any other third party products. Of course we can also develop systems based on SAS or SPSS and include database connectivity for your favorite database platform at very reasonable prices.

Post Data Collection Adjustments Systems

While there can be no substitute for a proper sample design and a tightly controlled data collection operation we are always faced with problems related to noninterviews, item nonresponses, etc. These problems need solutions before the data can be used to generate useful estimates. We have developed tools that can be used to adjust for complete noninterviews, impute for missing responses, and assign survey weights. We can use these tools to make adjustments to raw survey results or to reprocess data that have already been adjusted by others if you are not satified at the level of service you have received. Please contact us for a free consultation.