Data Needs for Labor Market Analysis. Background Paper No. 44.

Opinions on how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) can better meet the data needs of users of government-provided labor market data were sought from users inside and outside government. The following recommendations, among others, are based on those opinions: (1) create a quick-response household survey capability at the BLS, using random digit dialing supplemented by a purchase list for households without telephones or a list area frame; (2) start a new youth cohort for the National Longitudinal Survey; (3) appropriate $200,000 annually to integrate the richness of the National Longitudinal Survey database into the ongoing functions of the BLS; (4) construct data tapes that contain the matched records of individuals using existing cross-sectioned files, thereby creating from existing information an entirely new source of longitudinal information on the labor market behavior of individuals; (5) develop methodologies to correct the biases inherent in the Gross Flow data, with the goal of making these data generally available; (6) create a panel of households that would be interviewed over a long-term basis using the monthly Current Population Survey instrument; (7) investigate the possibility of constructing an archive of unemployment insurance wage records; and (8) study the efficacy of conducting surveys that match both workers and firms. (25 references) (CML)