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Data Citation

We are compiling a database of proper citations of the most frequently used data sets. Please feel free to contact the IDSC of IZA at if a data set is missing or your need additional help in citing a data set.

The Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) recognizes the importance of proper citation of data for the following reasons
  • acknowledges the author's sources
  • makes identifying data easier
  • promotes the reproduction of research results
  • allows the impact of data to be tracked
  • provides a structure which recognizes and can reward data creators
  • increase impact, and prestige of publications
and hence worked out a data citation convention which takes into account prior work done by respectable institutions. IZA will adopt the data citation conventions across all of its publications: IZA Discussion Paper Series, IZA Open Journals, IZA World of Labor, etc.

Additionally, the IDSC of IZA is offering aid in citing data sets properly. You are welcomed to contact the IDSC of IZA at for advice on how to cite your data set.
The IDSC of IZA will offer aid in citing data sets properly so contact IDSC of IZA at for advice on how to cite your data set.

We propose the following decisions sequence for authors:
  1. If the data provider of the data you use in your paper has a citation convention required or suggested please do follow those.
  2. If not please use the one developed by the International Data Service Center (IDSC) of the IZA.
If a DOI or other persistent identifier is assigned to the data set used please use it in your citation. If you are the creator of the data set we suggest that you deposit it with a data repository and get a DOI or similar. The IDSC of IZA offers a service for this. You may deposit your data set, and we will assign it a DOI and make it citable.

How do I cite a ...

Required form
  • Author(s)
  • Publication date
  • Title

Author(s) or producer organization, (yyyy (year) of publication/creation). Data set title (yyyy – yyyy - data set year(s) using in your analysis).

Hall, A., A. Siefer, and M. Tiemann, (2014). BIBB/BAuA-Employment Survey 2012.
Recommended form
  • Publisher
  • Global identifier
  • Version

Primary researcher, (yyyy (year of publication/creation/presentation). Title of data set, (yyyy – yyyy - years of data using in your analysis). Publisher. Version. Identifier.

Hall, A., A. Siefer, and M. Tiemann, (2014). BIBB/BAuA-Employment Survey 2012. GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA5657. Version 3.0.0, doi:10.7803/501.12.1.1.30
Required form

Author, Publication Date, Table(s) #/Title of Table

National Center for Education Statistics, 2008, Table 3.
Recommended form

Author, Publication Date, Table(s) #. Publisher (Eds.), Title of reference book (pp. xxx-xxx) or reference journal. Global identifier

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2010). Table 1204: Household Pet Ownership: 2006. In U.S. Census Bureau (Ed.), Statistical Abstract of the United States (129th ed.). http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1204.pdf
Required form

Author, Publication Date, Figure(s) #/Title of Figure

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). [Interactive map showing percentage of respondents reporting "no" to, During the past month, did you participate in any physical activities?].
Recommended form

Author, Publication Date, Figure(s) #/ Title of Figure, Publisher, Global identifier

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). [Interactive map showing percentage of respondents reporting "no" to, During the past month, did you participate in any physical activities?]. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Retrieved from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/gisbrfss/default.aspx

If there are cases not covered by this convention we offer assistance in incorporating them so feel free to contact the IDSC of IZA at .