Policy Diffusion Results: A New Database for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This research note presents a new database of policy diffusion research results useful for research synthesis. This database is a compilation of the results from every event history analysis model of policy diffusion in the American states published between 1990 and 2018. The result is 507 models with 6,641 variables. The database is publicly available and can be used to answer numerous questions regarding the veracity of policy diffusion research claims. It also provides a systematic understanding of where there are gaps in diffusion research that can be filled by scholars from many subfields. This article briefly discusses the data collection and coding processes, what is available in the database, and how it can be used. It also provides an illustrative meta-analysis of the effect of legislative professionalism on innovation adoption.