Interactive Inventory of Datasets/Empirical Tools

Associated with the growing demand for quantifying the governance performance of countries, localities, and institutions, there has been a virtual explosion of datasets measuring quality of institutions, governance and corruption. This is illustrated by the worldwide aggregate Governance Indicators Dataset, generated by researchers at the World Bank, comprising six different governance components for about 200 countries, or by the Corruption Perception Index  of Transparency International , or by the measures generated from enterprise surveys carried out by the World Bank or by the Global Competitiveness program  of the World Economic Forum . 

While these indicators and surveys are relatively well known, they are not the only datasets available; far from it. The question of “what other works are available?” is frequently asked by academics, policy makers, civil society and journalists. Depending on the desired goal of the user, a particular dataset and related tool is likely to serve as a match than others. Thus, it is useful to provide an inventory of the available datasets on governance, in order to facilitate the user’s access to a broad spectrum of such data, and to let the user decide which one is most relevant. For each dataset, we provide some basic information and characteristics, including its web link. Where we have found no web links, we have provided email addresses of the developers for contact by individuals for access to data. The total number of datasets in this inventory exceeds 160. And this only includes datasets and associated empirical tools where actual data exists and is made accessible to the user. Such proliferation argues for providing an interactive and web-friendly compilation of the list of datasets. 

Since this is a new initiative, we are likely to be missing some datasets. We therefore encourage users and experts to let us know about them so that we can add them to this inventory. Furthermore, if some of the information we provide in characterizing the listed datasets is incorrect, incomplete, or out-of-date, do let us know.Your input and feedback is crucial for maintaining a valuable inventory of governance databases. We will be regularly updating this inventory of governance databases. 

Our compilation would not have been possible, if it were not for the work already carried out by others. Outside of the World Bank we want to acknowledge in particular the compendium by M. Besançon (2003), and within the Bank we are grateful by the collaboration and inputs of many colleagues. Some key references are listed at the end of this note. 

This inventory of governance data sets are organized into three different matrices, which the user can quickly review or scroll:

1. External governance datasets and instruments (from outside of the World Bank, and/or indicators by Bank researchers based on outside data)
2. Internal World Bank governance datasets and empirical tools (the latter restricted to those that contain accessible data).
3. Consolidated matrix of both external and internal governance datasets and instruments. The data sets have been arranged in descending order according to the extent (number) of country coverage. 

User feedback, corrections, additions, and further suggestions on how to improve this web-based governance database inventory are very welcomed. This compilation has been carried out by Juliet Pumpuni, with the collaboration of Massimo Mastruzzi and Erin Hoffman, under the general direction of Daniel Kaufmann. For submission of additional data sets, corrections or feedback, please write us at governancewbi@worldbank.org.

References

1. Besançon, Marie (2003). "Good Governance Rankings: The Art of Measurement," World Peace Foundation Report number 36.
   
2. Kaufmann, Daniel, Aart Kraay, Massimo Mastruzzi."Governance Matters V: Governance Indicators for 1996-2005", September 2006.
   
3. Knack, Stephen, Nick Manning. "Towards Consensus on Governance Indicators:Selecting Public Management and Broader Governance Indicators,” (240 kb PDF) World Bank, March 7, 2000. 
   
4. Munck, Gerardo L. "Measures of Democracy, Governance and Rule of Law: An Overview of Cross-National Data Sets".  Paper prepared for World Bank. Workshop on "Understanding Growth and Freedom from the Bottom Up", Washington  DC, July 15-17, 2003, Transparency International, Survey sources for the TI Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2003. (80 kb PDF)
   
5. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Oslo Governance Centre, "Overview of Existing Framework of Governance Related Indicators," (230 kb XLS)
   
6. World Bank, Foreign Investment Advisory Service: Investment Climate Indicators.