Research in Action
See an archive of business-friendly articles that share out findings using data housed at the Kilts Center for an audience of policymakers, business leaders, and the general public.
Research in ActionThrough a relationship with TransUnion, the Kilts Center makes available an archive of anonymized historical, longitudinal consumer credit data that begin in July 2000. These data make possible cutting-edge research in marketing, finance, economics, and more.
Tenured and tenure-track faculty from The University of Chicago are eligible to use these data, as well as PhD students from Chicago Booth. All users must comply with TransUnion’s data use policies included below. Coauthors outside Chicago Booth or University of Chicago are prohibited from having any access to these data.
Eligible researchers from The University of Chicago interested in submitting a research proposal should contact marketingdata@chicagobooth.edu for more information on the proposal process.
Years Available: From July 2000 with ongoing updates.
What Is Included: The dataset consists of a completely anonymized, longitudinal random sample of 10% of non-deceased consumer records found in our credit archives. Each month the sample is enhanced with a random sample of 10% of consumers that are new entrants to the credit file that month. Data include consumer and account level variables.
Matching/Linking Considerations: All subject and trade keys prepared by TransUnion are unique to this dataset. They enable linking of subjects and trades across archives while preventing researchers from matching them to external repositories.
Any linking of supplemental data assets in support of a particular research objective must be coordinated with and approved by TransUnion according to a mutually agreeable approach, to be specified in the formal research proposal.
Twelve (12) months in advance of graduation
Six (6) months in advance of graduation
Those who qualify will receive a static sample of only the data required for the approved projects and related working paper. To make an extension request, email Art Middlebrooks and Heather McGuire.
For presentations, working papers, journal articles, dissertations, and publications, Researchers must include the following disclaimers:
Citation
"Calculated (or derived) based on credit data provided by TransUnion, a global information solutions company, through a relationship with the Kilts Center for Marketing at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.”
Required Disclosure
"TransUnion (the data provider) has the right to review the research before dissemination to ensure it accurately describes TransUnion data, does not disclose confidential information, and does not contain material it deems to be misleading or false regarding TransUnion, TransUnion's partners, affiliates or customer base, or the consumer lending industry."
See an archive of business-friendly articles that share out findings using data housed at the Kilts Center for an audience of policymakers, business leaders, and the general public.
Research in ActionQuestions about the marketing research resources at the Kilts Center?
Phone: 773.834.1528
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