WRDS: Wharton Research Data Services

a brief introduction to the datasets we subscribe to via WRDS and how to get an account.

Librarian

Welcome to WRDS

About WRDS

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is the leading, comprehensive, Internet-based data research service used by academic, government, non-profit institutions, and corporate firms. WRDS manages the data and delivers it in a seamless, unified, and consistent form. WRDS provides the user with one location to access over 200 terabytes of data across multiple disciplines including Finance, Marketing, and Economics.

WRDS provides flexible data delivery options, including executing research and strategy development on the WRDS computing cloud.

Registration Required

Access to WRDS is limited to the following:

  • Masters students
  • PhD students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visiting Scholars

Request an account by clicking the Register tab on the WRDS login screen. You will receive a confirmation email once your account has been approved, but this process will take a few days.

In addition to these resources, you may also be eligible to access the variety of databases maintained by the Walton College. This website has access directions or if you need further assistance, please reach out to your Business Librarian. 

Terms of Use

  • The WRDS service is for academic and non-commercial research purposes only. Use of the WRDS services is governed under the Subscription Agreement between the host university or institution (the "Subscriber") and Wharton Research Data Services. Users may not use data downloaded from the WRDS database for any non-academic or commercial endeavor.
  • Your access to the WRDS database is governed by the Subscription Agreement between the Subscriber and Wharton Research Data Services.  Individual WRDS accounts are offered to standing faculty, full-time research staff, currently-enrolled Ph.D. students, and full-time Masters students at Subscriber institutions. Access and individual accounts for research assistants, visiting scholars, and other non-permanent faculty is offered at Wharton Research Data Service's discretion.
  • Users must access the WRDS database by the method or methods prescribed by WRDS.  These methods may include Access Pass, a system that enables WRDS to prevent unauthorized or inappropriate use of the WRDS database by requiring user authentication. Methods of permitted access may change from time to time.
  • All users must protect the confidentiality of your WRDS username and password.  Users may not reveal, disclose, transfer or share your username and password with anyone, including without limitation a co-author or other collaborator.
  • All users will be prompted to agree to the WRDS Terms of Use on an annual basis.
  • You may only have one designated and current affiliation.  If you should have two affiliations, your most current affiliation will support the account for your WRDS access. You are not permitted to hold WRDS Accounts at separate institutions.
  • The university or institution may place additional restrictions on use of and access to the WRDS services.  All users must learn about and honor restrictions your university or institution may place on users of the WRDS services and any use of the licensed data that is accessed through the WRDS services.
  • The rights to access and/ or use the WRDS services is subject to immediate suspension if there is any evidence of the misuse of the WRDS services account, username, or password.  If a violation of this agreement is suspected, WRDS reserves the right to disable the user's account, at which time the WRDS Representative for your university will be notified. Following an internal investigation, WRDS will determine whether the account may be reactivated or permanently disabled. If the account is reactivated, the password must be reset.
  • WRDS and its third party data providers do not make any representations or guarantees about the accuracy or timeliness of the content.  Due to the number of the sources from which WRDS contents are obtained, and the inherent hazards of electronic distribution, there may be delays, omissions, or inaccuracies in the contents. Although the contents have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, they are provided to you on an "as is" basis without warranties of any kind.
  • User agrees to place the following acknowledgement in all publications or other communications prepared using the WRDS services: "Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) was used in preparing __________ [identify research piece]. This service and the data available thereon constitute valuable intellectual property and trade secrets of WRDS and/ or its third-party suppliers."