ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the use of archival data in psychological research. Archival data are existing data that were collected for a purpose other than its current use. First, we review several sources and types of archival data that may be of particular interest to applied psychology researchers, including social science data archives, public documents, datasets, official records, private documents or records, and mass media. Next we discuss advantages and disadvantages that are unique to archival data use in psychological research, such as the opportunity to access datasets with a specific methodology, design or specific population, along with the inherent challenges associated with navigating large, complex datasets with limited control over whether and how variables of interest are measured. Finally, we conclude with a series of recommendations to anyone who may be considering the use of archival data for a research project. We hope this chapter serves as a useful introduction to archival data and helpful resource to those seeking to use archival data in psychological research.