Journal of Economic and Social Measurement - Volume 41, issue 1

Authors: Chen, Tao | Couch, Kenneth A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In addition to existing model specification tests based on over identifying information from pre-program periods, this paper conducts a new nonparametric test based on the concept of unconditional bounding. This test has the advantage that it does not require pre-program information on participants. The nonparametric bounding test yields similar information about model misspecification to the standard test based on over identifying information. As an illustration, we apply the test to administrative records from the Jobs First experiment in Connecticut. Records on other welfare recipients are used to provide quasi-experimental panel regression estimates of the impact of time limiting benefits on …labor market earnings. Show more

Keywords: Model misspecification, unconditional bounding, administrative records

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-160423

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 1-16, 2016

Authors: Kimberlin, Sara | Shaefer, H. Luke | Kim, Jiyoon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) was recently introduced by the U.S. Census Bureau as an alternative measure of poverty that addresses many shortcomings of the official poverty measure (OPM) to better reflect the resources households have available to meet their basic needs. The Census SPM is available only in the Current Population Survey (CPS). This paper describes a method for constructing SPM poverty estimates in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), for the biennial years 1998 through 2010. A public-use dataset of individual-level SPM status produced in this analysis will be available for download on the PSID website. Annual …SPM poverty estimates from the PSID are presented for the years 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 and compared to SPM estimates for the same years derived from CPS data by the Census Bureau and independent researchers. We find that SPM poverty rates in the PSID are somewhat lower than those found in the CPS, though trends over time and impact of specific SPM components are similar across the two datasets. Show more

Keywords: Poverty measurement, supplemental Poverty Measure, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, social welfare policies

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-160425

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 17-47, 2016

Authors: Engelhardt, Gary V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The linking of detailed information on health, medical care, and insurance to economic outcomes is a central feature of data collection efforts in the economics of aging. In this paper, I use newly available linked panel data from a unique supplement to the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) known as the Prescription Drug Study (PDS) to examine the impact of insurance coverage on prescription drug utilization for those 65 and older. Fixed-effect estimates suggest that gaining coverage resulted in a 15% increase in utilization. Gaining coverage also was associated with a 20-50% reduction in the incidence of cost-related non-adherence. However, …even among the uninsured, only a relatively small proportion of drugs (12%) were associated with episodes of cost-related non-adherence. Show more

Keywords: Prescription drugs, utilization, panel data

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-150418

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 49-65, 2016

Authors: Biffignandi, Silvia | Nascia, Leopoldo | Zeli, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The main Italian enterprise surveys are shifting from a simple traditional data collection approach to a more complex one. This new approach is based on survey database management involving the recasting of many data sources (including administrative data). The reasons for utilising administrative data are: improved timeliness, increased precision and a reduction in the statistical burden. In our paper we focus on the Italian SCI survey (Sistema dei Conti delle Imprese , i.e., Businesses accounts survey). A number of innovations have been introduced into this survey over the last few years and remain ongoing. Since 2005, final economic estimates are …obtained combining various data sources, primarily administrative data. The integration procedure involves a number of methodological solutions. In this paper we deal with the problem of non-response, particularly unit non-response. At first methodological issues, research and applicative trends in the NSI (National Statistical Institute) are briefly reviewed. Afterwards alternative means of estimating business data using administrative records and integrating sources are applied to the SCI survey data. The integration procedure is presented and its impact on the improvement of final data quality is verified. Show more

Keywords: Non-response, balance sheet data, tax data, Fligner-Policello test

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-150420

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 67-83, 2016

Authors: Sen Roy, Sugata | Chakrabortty, Sourav

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper we have looked into the problems of measuring visible underemployment. Some measures to gauge the intensity of visible underemployment have been suggested and their properties studied. Measures based on given time-norms for work are also suggested. The results are illustrated through examples.

Keywords: Visible underemployment, intensity measures, norm-based measures

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-160426

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 85-101, 2016