Data Management and Manipulation
Combining Datasets for Analysis
Choose the route that brings the needed information to the correct analytical level without changing the estimand silently.
Page 1 of 7 · Big Picture
The big picture: Combining Datasets for Analysis
How can multiple datasets supply the variables at the right analytical level?
Why a policy analyst should care
Useful variables often live at different levels, and combining them safely requires preserving the population and analytical unit needed by the research question.
Follow the idea from the opening question to a practical decision. These are the conceptual moves this module will develop:
1 Question How can multiple datasets supply the variables you need?
2 Explore Aggregate, merge, or link deliberately
3 Formalize Keys determine what a join means
4 Transfer Build a policy analysis file
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