Access to Data for Researchers

Researchers can use the data from the Mannheim Innovation Panel (MIP) within the framework of scientific projects. There are four access methods with varying degrees of anonymization of the firm-level data:

  1. You can work with the original MIP data at a guest workstation in the Research Data Center (RDC) of the ZEW, located on the ZEW premises (address: L 7,1 – 68161 Mannheim). The provided data is formally anonymized, meaning it does not contain any information about the firms’ names and addresses. No other data-altering anonymization measures are carried out; the original information as provided in the questionnaire is available.
     
  2. The original MIP data can also be accessed via a secure remote desktop connection, which allows external access to the data. This technical implementation of data access was made possible within the framework of the BERD@NFDI cooperation project with the University of Mannheim. The remote desktop connection provides access to ZEW data via the bwCloud of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Use of the remote desktop connection is time-limited and only possible with prior registration.
     
  3. In addition, the MIP data are offered for download in a de facto anonymized form as a Scientific Use File. This data can be used outside the ZEW-FDZ at your own research institution. To ensure de facto anonymity, data-altering techniques are applied that prevent de-anonymization. The anonymization method is described in the Documentation of the MIP Scientific Use Files. This documentation also includes a list of all variables in the MIP dataset.
     
  4. An Education Use File is also available for use in teaching at higher education institutiones. This fully anonymized dataset is distorted through additional data-altering techniques to such an extent that no connection to the original data can be established. This dataset is particularly suitable as a practice dataset for teaching how to handle real survey data.

Data use is generally free of charge and reserved for scientific, non-commercial research. For special data processing requested by data users, the costs incurred by the ZEW may be invoiced.

A dedicated dataset has been created for analyses of the impact of public R&D and innovation funding, and of the relationship between funding, innovation output and business performance; this dataset links MIP data with administrative funding data. Further information on the EVALDAT dataset

Request for Data Access

Researchers can submit an informal application for data use by email to the head of the ZEW-FDZ, Dr. Sandra Gottschalk (sandra.gottschalk@zew.de). The request should include a brief description (abstract) of the research project. After approval of the request, a data transfer agreement will be concluded between the ZEW and the data user.