The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) is dedicated to discovering how people around the globe live, think, interact, age, invest, and make important, life-changing decisions. Our in-depth research and analysis are deepening the understanding of human behavior in a wide range of economic and social contexts.

Our ultimate goal: to improve social welfare by informing and influencing decision-making in the public and private sectors. Along the way, we are leading a creative revolution in how scientists conduct social science and economic research through the use of innovative technology. Tomorrow is here, today.

Understanding America Study

The USC Understanding America Study (UAS) is creating an in-depth portrayal of the people in the U.S.--their daily lives and their opinions. This 9,300+ Internet panel is yielding insights and information of significant value to policy makers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, opinion pollsters, social science researchers, corporations and more. More

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The Understanding America Study is referenced in this article in the Washington Post about the end of paper checks and the near death of cash. The Atlanta Fed has been collecting annual payment preference data in the UAS for many years and had noted these trends along with other growing trends in app based payments and bitcoin ownership.



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Events

October 02, 2023Estimation of panels with attrition and refreshment samples - with Jinyong Hahn, Pierre Hoonhout, Arie Kapteyn, and Geert Ridder

October 09, 2023TBD