PUBLIC USE FILES

ABOUT THE DATA

EPOP survey data is available for researchers to explore, analyze, and share findings on entrepreneurship in the US. Public use files (PUFs) are comprehensive data sets available to the general public without restriction. PUFs are fully anonymized, meaning that the risk of re-identifying survey respondents is negligible. This data supports analysis at national, state, and regional levels.

To request EPOP PUFs, please complete the form below and agree to the Conditions of Use. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

When the request form is submitted, the EPOP research team will email you instructions on accessing the PUF data package which includes:

Data files and formatting programs
Questionnaire: 2022, 2023
PUF Codebook: 2022, 2023
User Guide: 2022, 2023
Survey Item Crosswalk (shows the survey variables and survey pathways for the different categories of entrepreneurship): 2022, 2023

Currently, data for the years 2022 and 2023 are available. The PUF release dates are:

2022 data: January 20, 2023
2023 data: October 16, 2023

Citations, referred to below in the Conditions of Use, should appear as:

“Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) Survey Project Public Use Data File: <year>.” NORC at the University of Chicago. <month> <day>, <year>. EPOP.norc.org

Details on the EPOP Survey methodology are available at About the Study.

If you have comments or questions about the PUF data, please contact the EPOP research team at EPOPresearch@norc.org.

Request Public Use Files

Please select the survey year(s) for the data you will receive*

When do you expect to publish, report, or present using EPOP data?

Conditions of Use:

I agree to the following Conditions of Use for EPOP public use data sets. These conditions are required to access the files.

Credit and Citations:
I will give proper credit to the EPOP study by including this citation in any material, published or unpublished, using EPOP data:
”Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) Survey Project Public Use Data File: <year>.” NORC at the University of Chicago. <month> <day>, <year>. EPOP.norc.org

Redistribution:
I will not redistribute EPOP public use files without permission. Individuals interested in this data must provide their own contact information above and receive their own copy of the PUFs via their own email address.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH

We want to hear about your research and analysis using EPOP Survey data. Let us know about your presentations, reports, and publications, and we will add them to Publications.

IN THE NEWS

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs: Removing Barriers (2023)

The Kauffman Foundation continues to recognize, with urgency, the significance of the role new and existing businesses play in local, regional, and the national economy. This report continues their series of sharing the state of capital access for entrepreneurs highlighting the need for innovative products and models to improve capital delivery systems.

Learn More July 14, 2023

EPOP in Indiana

Based on the national EPOP Survey, the Entrepreneurship in the Population: Indiana (EPOP-IN) project focuses on experiences with and interest in entrepreneurship in Indiana. The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) conducted EPOP-IN to learn about self-employment and business formation issues specific to residents in their state. The study collected data from August to November 2022. Click here for EPOP-IN information, data, and reports about the study.

If you are interested in learning more about conducting an EPOP study at the state, regional, or local level, please contact us at EPOPresearch@norc.org.

Learn More June 18, 2023

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PUBLICATIONS

Optimizing Address-based Sample Outreach: Findings from a Late-Stage Contacting Experiment

Katie Johnson, Research Methodologist at NORC, presented on an EPOP:2023 data collection methods experiment at the 2023 Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR) Conference. The controlled experiment compared the impact of sending a text message versus a USPS postcard to the control treatment in increasing survey response.

Learn More November 17, 2023

Characteristics of Gig Workers in the US: Evidence from the EPOP Survey

Quentin Brummet, EPOP Principal Investigator, gave this presentation to the Outsourcing Research Network Workshop at the Harris School, University of Chicago.

Learn More June 16, 2023

EPOP in Indiana: Reports and Data

NORC conducted the Entrepreneurship in the Population: Indiana (EPOP-IN) project on behalf of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). The project included both quantitative and qualitative data collection. EPOP-IN produced these reports and data:

EPOP-IN Release Research Brief
This brief provides a profile of entrepreneurship activities in Indiana. Also, the brief focuses on major challenges facing current and former entrepreneurs and those planning to start a business in Indiana.
EPOP-IN Summary Findings Report
This comprehensive report describes the survey methodology, key findings on a wide range of measures, and provides detailed data tables by survey item.
EPOP-IN Qualitative Research Report
This report presents the qualitative findings from a series of focus groups and stakeholder interviews with Indiana entrepreneurs.
EPOP-IN Methodology Report
This report describes the quantitative and qualitative data collection methods including the survey sample design, survey instrument, data collection process, data processing, and other research methods implemented.
EPOP-IN PUF Data and Documentation
Public use files (PUFs) of the survey data and data user documentation (including the questionnaire, a codebook, and data user guide) are available in this download.

Learn More June 8, 2023