This timely, thoughtful book provides a clear introduction to using panel data in research.
It describes the different types of panel datasets commonly used for empirical analysis, and how to use them for cross sectional, panel, and event history analysis. Longhi and Nandi then guide the reader through the data management and estimation process, including the interpretation of the results and the preparation of the final output tables.
Using existing data sets and structured as hands-on exercises, each chapter engages with practical issues associated with using data in research. These include:
- Data cleaning
- Data preparation
- Computation of descriptive statistics
- Using sample weights
- Choosing and implementing the right estimator
- Interpreting results
- Preparing final output tables
- Graphical representation
Written by experienced authors this exciting textbook provides the practical tools needed to use panel data in research.
Industry Reviews
This book is exactly what I have been looking for in my teaching, as a valuable guide for graduate and advanced undergraduate students who are thinking of tackling panel data but feel overwhelmed by how complicated it seems compared to working with standard cross-sectional datasets. The authors nicely combine discussion of general statistical principles with lots of example Stata code demonstrating many types of analysis. Critically, the book tells students and researchers not only how to carry out analysis but shows how to prepare and manage panel data. -- Nick Allum This is a unique and refreshing resource in the field of panel data analysis of individuals and households. The book takes the reader by the hand and covers the whole of the research process. In doing so, it provides solutions to very relevant issues faced by longitudinal research practitioners in their day-to-day work lives, striking a fine balance between substantive and practical advice. A must have for researchers, instructors and students interested in the analysis of household panel datasets. -- Francisco (Paco) Perales This is an excellent practical guide to carrying out analysis of individual level panel surveys. Providing the reader with everything they need to know and written with exemplary clarity, it works through issues and approaches in a logical way yet without oversimplifying. I would recommend anyone contemplating analysis of a panel study, whether for an MSc dissertation, a PhD or an academic experienced with cross-sectional data to read - and use - it. -- Lucinda Platt Simonetta Longhi and Alita Nandi's book is a clear and comprehensive guide to panel data in all its complexity. It is a must for any researcher interested in using one of the household longitudinal studies The book is full of useful advice with abundant examples of Stata programs and techniques. I will be recommending it to colleagues and students alike. -- Amanda Sacker This volume is a fantastic addition to the growing social science literature on aspects of quantitative data analysis and should feature on the reading list for any post graduate statistics course in the social sciences. This will be a prerequisite wherever the analysis of panel data is taught for many years. -- Kevin Ralston, University of Edinburgh
