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Other Publications by Catherine Buffington

Research paper thumbnail of STEM Training and Early Career Outcomes of Female and Male Graduate Students: Evidence from UMETRICS Data Linked to the 2010 Census

Women are underrepresented in science and engineering, with the underrepresentation increasing in... more Women are underrepresented in science and engineering, with the underrepresentation increasing in career stage. We analyze gender differences at critical junctures in the STEM pathway--graduate training and the early career--using UMETRICS administrative data matched to the 2010 Census and W-2s. We find strong gender separation in teams, although the effects of this are ambiguous. While no clear disadvantages exist in training environments, women earn 10% less than men once we include a wide range of controls, most notably field of study. This gap disappears once we control for women's marital status and presence of children.

Papers by Catherine Buffington

Research paper thumbnail of Small Business Pulse Survey Estimates by Owner Characteristics and Rural/Urban Designation

Research Papers in Economics, Sep 1, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of High Frequency Business Dynamics in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research Papers in Economics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Code and Data for: Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses and People: Lessons from the Census Bureau's Experience

We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and re... more We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and relevance of our data products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight new data products designed to provide timely and granular information on the pandemic's impact: the Small Business Pulse Survey, weekly Business Formation Statistics, the Household Pulse Survey, and Community Resilience Estimates. We describe pandemic-related content introduced to existing surveys such as the Annual Business Survey and the Current Population Survey. We discuss adaptations to ensure the continuity and consistency of existing data products such as principal economic indicators and the American Community Survey. <br><br><br><br>

Research paper thumbnail of Development of Survey Questions on Robotics Expenditures and Use in U.S. Manufacturing Establishments

The U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with a team of external researchers developed a series of q... more The U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with a team of external researchers developed a series of questions on the use of robotics in U.S. manufacturing establishments. The questions include: (1) capital expenditures for new and used industrial robotic equipment in 2018, (2) number of industrial robots in operation in 2018, and (3) number of industrial robots purchased in 2018. These questions are to be included in the 2018 Annual Survey of Manufactures. This paper documents the background and cognitive testing process used for the development of these questions.

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the Effect of COVID-19 on U.S. Small Businesses: The Small Business Pulse Survey

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census Bureau developed and fielded... more In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census Bureau developed and fielded an entirely new survey intended to measure the effect on small businesses. The Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS) will run weekly from April 26 to June 27, 2020. Results from the SBPS will be published weekly through a visualization tool with downloadable data. We describe the motivation for SBPS, summarize how the content for the survey was developed, and discuss some of the initial results from the survey. We also describe future plans for the SBPS collections and for our research using the SBPS data. Estimates from the first week of the SBPS indicate large to moderate negative effects of COVID-19 on small businesses, and yet the majority expect to return to usual level of operations within the next six months. Reflecting the Census Bureau’s commitment to scientific inquiry and transparency, the micro data from the SBPS will be available to qualified researchers on approved projects i...

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses and People: Lessons from the Census Bureau’s Experience

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2021

We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and re... more We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and relevance of our data products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight new data products designed to provide timely and granular information on the pandemic's impact: the Small Business Pulse Survey, weekly Business Formation Statistics, the Household Pulse Survey, and Community Resilience Estimates. We describe pandemic-related content introduced to existing surveys such as the Annual Business Survey and the Current Population Survey. We discuss adaptations to ensure the continuity and consistency of existing data products such as principal economic indicators and the American Community Survey.

Research paper thumbnail of Advanced Technologies Adoption and Use by U.S. Firms: Evidence from the Annual Business Survey

The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic a... more The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic analyses to improve the statistical programs of the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these analyses take the form of CES research papers. The papers have not undergone the review accorded Census Bureau publications and no endorsement should be inferred. Any opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed. Republication in whole or part must be cleared with the authors. To obtain information about the series, see www.census.gov/ces or contact

Research paper thumbnail of The management and organizational practices survey (MOPS): An overview1

Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, 2017

The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic a... more The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic analyses to improve the statistical programs of the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these analyses take the form of CES research papers. The papers have not undergone the review accorded Census Bureau publications and no endorsement should be inferred. Any opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed. Republication in whole or part must be cleared with the authors. To obtain information about the series, see www.census.gov/ces or contact J.

Research paper thumbnail of STEM Training and Early Career Outcomes of Female and Male Graduate Students: Evidence from UMETRICS Data linked to the 2010 Census

The American economic review, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of High-frequency data from the U.S. Census Bureau during the COVID-19 pandemic: small vs. new businesses

Business Economics, 2021

Small businesses experienced very sharp declines in activity, business sentiment, and expectation... more Small businesses experienced very sharp declines in activity, business sentiment, and expectations early in the pandemic. While there has been some recovery since then, multiple indicators of small business performance remained substantially in the negative range early in 2021. These findings are from a unique high frequency, real time, survey of small employer businesses, the Census Bureau's Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). In contrast, results from the high frequency, real time, Business Formation Statistics (BFS) show there has been a surge in new business applications following an initial decline. Most of these applications are for likely nonemployers; however, there has also been a surge in new applications for likely employers, especially in Retail Trade (and especially Non-store Retailers). We compare and contrast the patterns from these two new high frequency data products that provide novel insights into the distinct patterns of dynamics for existing small businesses relative to new business formations.

Research paper thumbnail of STEM Training and Early Career Outcomes of Female and Male Graduate Students: Evidence from UMETRICS Data Linked to the 2010 Census

Women are underrepresented in science and engineering, with the underrepresentation increasing in... more Women are underrepresented in science and engineering, with the underrepresentation increasing in career stage. We analyze gender differences at critical junctures in the STEM pathway--graduate training and the early career--using UMETRICS administrative data matched to the 2010 Census and W-2s. We find strong gender separation in teams, although the effects of this are ambiguous. While no clear disadvantages exist in training environments, women earn 10% less than men once we include a wide range of controls, most notably field of study. This gap disappears once we control for women's marital status and presence of children.

Research paper thumbnail of Small Business Pulse Survey Estimates by Owner Characteristics and Rural/Urban Designation

Research Papers in Economics, Sep 1, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of High Frequency Business Dynamics in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research Papers in Economics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Code and Data for: Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses and People: Lessons from the Census Bureau's Experience

We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and re... more We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and relevance of our data products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight new data products designed to provide timely and granular information on the pandemic's impact: the Small Business Pulse Survey, weekly Business Formation Statistics, the Household Pulse Survey, and Community Resilience Estimates. We describe pandemic-related content introduced to existing surveys such as the Annual Business Survey and the Current Population Survey. We discuss adaptations to ensure the continuity and consistency of existing data products such as principal economic indicators and the American Community Survey. <br><br><br><br>

Research paper thumbnail of Development of Survey Questions on Robotics Expenditures and Use in U.S. Manufacturing Establishments

The U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with a team of external researchers developed a series of q... more The U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with a team of external researchers developed a series of questions on the use of robotics in U.S. manufacturing establishments. The questions include: (1) capital expenditures for new and used industrial robotic equipment in 2018, (2) number of industrial robots in operation in 2018, and (3) number of industrial robots purchased in 2018. These questions are to be included in the 2018 Annual Survey of Manufactures. This paper documents the background and cognitive testing process used for the development of these questions.

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the Effect of COVID-19 on U.S. Small Businesses: The Small Business Pulse Survey

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census Bureau developed and fielded... more In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census Bureau developed and fielded an entirely new survey intended to measure the effect on small businesses. The Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS) will run weekly from April 26 to June 27, 2020. Results from the SBPS will be published weekly through a visualization tool with downloadable data. We describe the motivation for SBPS, summarize how the content for the survey was developed, and discuss some of the initial results from the survey. We also describe future plans for the SBPS collections and for our research using the SBPS data. Estimates from the first week of the SBPS indicate large to moderate negative effects of COVID-19 on small businesses, and yet the majority expect to return to usual level of operations within the next six months. Reflecting the Census Bureau’s commitment to scientific inquiry and transparency, the micro data from the SBPS will be available to qualified researchers on approved projects i...

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses and People: Lessons from the Census Bureau’s Experience

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2021

We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and re... more We provide an overview of Census Bureau activities to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and relevance of our data products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight new data products designed to provide timely and granular information on the pandemic's impact: the Small Business Pulse Survey, weekly Business Formation Statistics, the Household Pulse Survey, and Community Resilience Estimates. We describe pandemic-related content introduced to existing surveys such as the Annual Business Survey and the Current Population Survey. We discuss adaptations to ensure the continuity and consistency of existing data products such as principal economic indicators and the American Community Survey.

Research paper thumbnail of Advanced Technologies Adoption and Use by U.S. Firms: Evidence from the Annual Business Survey

The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic a... more The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic analyses to improve the statistical programs of the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these analyses take the form of CES research papers. The papers have not undergone the review accorded Census Bureau publications and no endorsement should be inferred. Any opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed. Republication in whole or part must be cleared with the authors. To obtain information about the series, see www.census.gov/ces or contact

Research paper thumbnail of The management and organizational practices survey (MOPS): An overview1

Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, 2017

The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic a... more The research program of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) produces a wide range of economic analyses to improve the statistical programs of the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these analyses take the form of CES research papers. The papers have not undergone the review accorded Census Bureau publications and no endorsement should be inferred. Any opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed. Republication in whole or part must be cleared with the authors. To obtain information about the series, see www.census.gov/ces or contact J.

Research paper thumbnail of STEM Training and Early Career Outcomes of Female and Male Graduate Students: Evidence from UMETRICS Data linked to the 2010 Census

The American economic review, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of High-frequency data from the U.S. Census Bureau during the COVID-19 pandemic: small vs. new businesses

Business Economics, 2021

Small businesses experienced very sharp declines in activity, business sentiment, and expectation... more Small businesses experienced very sharp declines in activity, business sentiment, and expectations early in the pandemic. While there has been some recovery since then, multiple indicators of small business performance remained substantially in the negative range early in 2021. These findings are from a unique high frequency, real time, survey of small employer businesses, the Census Bureau's Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). In contrast, results from the high frequency, real time, Business Formation Statistics (BFS) show there has been a surge in new business applications following an initial decline. Most of these applications are for likely nonemployers; however, there has also been a surge in new applications for likely employers, especially in Retail Trade (and especially Non-store Retailers). We compare and contrast the patterns from these two new high frequency data products that provide novel insights into the distinct patterns of dynamics for existing small businesses relative to new business formations.