Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is a web-based business data research service from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Developed in 1993 to support faculty research at Wharton, the service has evolved to become a common tool for research for over 290 institutions around the world.
WRDS is the de facto standard for business data, providing researchers worldwide with instant access to financial, economic, and marketing data though a uniform, web-based interface. This hosted data service has become the locus for quantitative data research and is recognized by the academic and financial research community around the world as the leading business intelligence tool.
WRDS provides a single interface to access Compustat, CRSP, Global Insight and other large financial and economic data files. Use of these files requires registration and is strictly restricted to University of Massachusetts Lowell faculty, students and staff. WRDS is designed specifically for research requiring the use and manipulation of large data files and is used primarily by graduate students and faculty. Undergraduates wishing to use WRDS should talk to a faculty member to ensure that it is appropriate to their research.
Example Account Request Form :
From another guide:
To get started using Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) you'll need to request an account.
Access to WRDS is available to UMass Lowell-affiliated faculty, students, and staff.
All faculty, students, and staff must submit a request to receive their individual username and password to access the WRDS search interface. Please follow instructions below.
Note: it may take up to a full business day for WRDS to process your request for an account.
Your request will be forwarded to our UML WRDS representative, Khondkar Karim. If you have any questions or problems with registration, you may contact him by email at: Khondkar_Karim@uml.edu
