Using Archival Data to Research Age and Work

This chapter begins with a brief discussion of what constitutes archival data, focusing primarily on how using archival data allows researchers to take a lifespan and life course perspective. We next discuss both the benefits and challenges of using archival data for studying age and work, with a particular focus on the methodological issues in using archival data. Potential sources of archival data for age and work research are outlined, as are possible supplemental datasets that can be linked to existing archival data sources that allows for an even richer and more comprehensive exploration of age and work from a lifespan and life course perspective. Several examples of age and work empirical research that used archival data are also provided and discussed. Finally, directions for future research and recommendations for using archival data to address pressing theoretical and practical issues in aging and work are provided, once again with a particular focus on taking a lifespan and life course perspective.