Overview

Employment Research and Program Development

The Employment Research and Program Development staff (ERPDS) initiates, plans, and directs activities for improving the quality and enhancing the analytical usefulness of programs in the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics (OEUS). ERPDS recommends improvements to current programs and the initiation of new programs. Staff members also conduct economic research relevant to the BLS mission. ERPDS also plans, directs, and conducts a program of national longitudinal surveys of labor market experience.

Two main functions of the research staff of ERPD are to assist in the development of OEUS data programs and to conduct original research using BLS data. By using OEUS data to conduct original research, ERPDS can better assess the shortcomings of existing surveys or the need for entirely new surveys. The presentation and publication of this research enhances ERPDS's role as a liaison between OEUS and the research community and provides an avenue for receiving valuable feedback on program content and concepts. As part of its program development function, ERPDS recommend what data should be collected and what concepts should be measured. They also serve as a resource for other OEUS offices by answering internal BLS inquires on estimation and data use and by reviewing reports and articles generated by other OEUS offices.

Last Modified Date: November 25, 2003