Does it matter how happiness is measured? Evidence from a randomized controlled experiment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Studer, Raphael^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zürichbergstr 14, CH-8032 Zürich, Switzerland. Tel.: +41 44 634 2297; E-mail: raphael.studer@econ.uzh.ch

Abstract: A continuous and a discrete rating scale were implemented for a single item happiness question in a representative online survey. A randomized controlled experiment enables unique analyses on data quality and distributions of happiness scores. The continuous measure is found to provide more information by overcoming the endpoint aversion present in discrete measurements. Furthermore, findings raise doubts about inferences drawn on correlates of discrete happiness scores. Evidence is provided that the gender happiness inequality depends upon gender specific question design effects.

Keywords: Happiness, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, Likert scale, visual analogue scale, rating scales, gender inequalities, gender gap

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-120364

Journal: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 317-336, 2012