BIBLIOGRAPHY

Publications, working papers, and other research using data resources from IPUMS.

Full Citation

Title: Comparing Historical Patent Datasets

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2019

ISSN: 1556-5068

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3415318

Abstract: I compare the strengths and weaknesses of five historical patent datasets and compare the suitability of each for use in innovation research. I first show that a number of historical sources exist that are nearly as complete as data on contemporary patenting. Second, I describe in detail differences across the datasets in terms of patent and inventor information included, reliability of provided information, and potential sample selection issues. Third, I show that while the datasets paint a remarkably consistent picture of aggregate invention through U.S. history, they contain important differences. In particular, differences in how patents are assigned to a location can produce statistically significant differences in estimates of the importance of agglomeration for invention. I discuss ways in which the different datasets can be used in conjunction with one another to improve inference.

Url: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3415318

Url: https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=3415318

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Andrews, Michael

Periodical (Full): SSRN Electronic Journal

Issue:

Volume:

Pages:

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Other, Population Data Science

Countries: United States

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