Data in Historical Political Economy

Abstract Empirical data is essential for studies in historical political economy. The range of data is vast—scholars collect quantitative information from both primary and secondary sources, and the scope of data collection over time and space depends on the research study. Yet this chapter provides an overview of different types of quantitative historical data, commonly used in historical political economy: sociodemographic and population data, government or institutional records, geographic and spatial data, political data, economic data, ethnographic data, and civil society data. Research highlighted in this chapter serves as an introductory overview for scholars wishing to work with historical data.