WASHINGTON, D.C. - Good dynamic small business data has traditionally been hard to find. However, advances in data collection are making it easier, according to a study released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The study, Development of Business Data: Tracking Firm Counts, Growth, and Turnover by Size of Firms, was released at a review of government business statistics held by the National Academies’ Committee on National Statistics.

“Traditionally, business data has focused on large manufacturers and agriculture,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. “However, our changing economy is finally being mirrored in data collection and that means more emphasis on small business. This is a good first step, but as the study shows, more needs to be done to more fully understand small business and the economy.”

The study, written by Catherine Armington with funding from the Office of Advocacy, traces the development of small business data over the last quarter century. It also examines current sources of dynamic small business data and issues in linking small business data over time. It shows that the Office of Advocacy has played a key role as funder and advisor to advances in small business data collection at the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Federal Reserve System.

The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues.