PSID, CDS, and TA: Data Enhancements and User Training, Support, and Outreach

Project Summary/Abstract This project will undertake an integrated set of data enhancements and user education, support, and outreach efforts to expand the research and policy communities’ use of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), the PSID Child Development Supplement (CDS), and the PSID Transition into Adulthood Supplement (TAS). PSID is a longitudinal survey of a nationally representative sample of US families that began in 1968. It has collected data on the same families and their descendants for 42 waves over 54 years (as of 2022). PSID provides long-term measurement, over the life course and across generations, of economic, social, demo- graphic, and health processes, which has inspired researchers to investigate the dynamics of these processes and their interrelationships. CDS was launched 25 years ago, in 1997, to collect data on children in PSID fami- lies. Seven waves of CDS have been completed, with three waves (in 1997, 2002, and 2007) on the original CDS cohort of children and with two major waves (in 2014 and 2019) and two follow-up Covid-focused waves (in 2020 and 2021) on all PSID children aged 0–17 years. Nine biennial waves of TAS have been completed. From 2005 through 2015, TAS collected data on members of the original CDS cohort; since 2017, TAS has collected data on all young adults aged 18–28 years in PSID families. PSID data are an unparalleled resource for research on topics of major scientific and policy interest, such as the intergenerational transmission of health, development, and well-being, determinants and consequences of children’s development, cohort and period effects on children’s outcomes, children’s time use, the transition to adulthood, and many other topics. However, the complexity and richness of these data can be challenging for new users and even for many ex- perienced analysts. The goal of this project is to make the use of these data easier and more efficient for all users. The specific aims of this project are to: teach an annual course on PSID data analysis geared to new users of the data; assist researchers who encounter complex problems by providing high quality, rapid re- sponse user-support services and through online facilities for users; undertake a variety of enhancements to PSID data and dissemination that will make it quicker and easier for both new and experienced researchers to conduct research with these data; conduct an annual user workshop to foster exchange and interaction among new and experienced researchers; and increase the size and disciplinary breath of the PSID, CDS, and TAS user community by conducting a variety of outreach efforts. The activities in this project will further increase the widespread use of the PSID, CDS, and TAS data, and will promote efficient and productive use of these data by new and experienced users of the data archive.