Undergraduate Applied Microeconomic Research with Demographic and Health Surveys

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Undergraduate students have demonstrated a growing demand for research opportunities, particularly concerning the world’s poorest people. United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) Program offers nationally representative data on more than 90 low-income countries that allow for the study of central issues highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as good health, education, women’s empowerment, and access to clean water (SDGs 3–6). In this paper, we provide an extensive overview of the DHS data, previous research with DHS data, and potential research ideas for undergraduate students. A detailed appendix provides instructors with a framework and resources to teach undergraduates to use DHS data as part of course assignments, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE), or theses. Using the DHS data and these resources, students can engage in active learning exercises that address some of the key policy issues of their generation.