Administrative Data for Research and Improvement View all reports on this topic

Administrative data are widely recognized as an underutilized resource for building knowledge to inform social service policy and program design. It is also potentially a more cost-effective source of information for this purpose than gathering original data. In order to realize this potential, administrative data need to be accessible to researchers, of high quality, and more easily linked or integrated while protecting privacy and confidentiality. Administrative data can sometimes eliminate the need for gathering original data. In other cases, it can extend the utility of survey data through data linkages, and provide a complementary source of knowledge.

Resources have been produced by OPRE and a number of other federal partners. Pages for these sources, including links to relevant resources offered by each, are provided below:

• OPRE Publications, Administrative Data, and Research
• The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE/HHS)
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
• Commission on Evidence-Based Policy-Making
• National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine