Journal of Economic and Social Measurement - Volume 42, issue 2

Authors: Bazen, Stephen | Joutard, Xavier | Magdalou, Brice

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The widely used Oaxaca decomposition applies to linear models. Extending it to commonly used nonlinear models such as duration models is not straightforward. This paper shows that the original decomposition that uses a linear model can also be obtained by an application of the mean value theorem. By extension, this basis provides a means of obtaining a decomposition formula which applies to nonlinear models which are continuous functions. The detailed decomposition of the explained component is expressed in terms of what are usually referred to as marginal effects. Explicit formulae are provided for the decomposition of some nonlinear models commonly …used in applied econometrics including binary choice, duration and Box-Cox models. Show more

Keywords: Oaxaca decomposition, nonlinear models, duration models, binary choice, Box-Cox transformation JEL codes: C.10, C.18, C.21

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-170439

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 101-121, 2017

Authors: Gorsuch, Marina Mileo | Williams, Kari Charlotte Wigness

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In demographic datasets, researchers frequently want to identify how members of a household are related. In this paper, we develop a new method of estimating parental and spousal relationships using data on fertility patterns and family interrelationships. The improved method includes cohabiting and same-sex couples and is comparable across all modern US IPUMS data projects. A detailed variable indicates how the relationship was inferred and the level of ambiguity around that inference. The new IPUMS family interrelationship variables are very accurate, matching self-reported spouse/partner for 99.99% and parent for over 99.00% of respondents. Among those identified as same-sex couples, we …match self-reported spouse/partner for 100% of respondents, 87.57% of whom self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. We further demonstrate that the new family interrelationship variables closely track temporal variation in teenage fertility. Show more

Keywords: Family interrelationships, demographic datasets, family composition

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-170445

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 123-149, 2017

Authors: Helppie-McFall, Brooke | Hsu, Joanne W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study leverages a randomized experimental design of a mixed-mode mail- and web-based survey to examine mode effects separately from sample selectivity issues. Using data from the Cognitive Economics Study, which contains some sensitive financial questions, we analyze two sets of questions: fixed-choice questions posed nearly identically across mode, and dollar-value questions that exploit features available only on web mode. Focusing on differences in item nonresponse and response distributions, our results indicate that, in contrast to mail mode, web mode surveys display lower item nonresponse for all questions. While respondents appear to prefer providing financial information in ranges, use of …reminder screens on the web version yields greater use of exact values without large sacrifices in item response. Still, response distributions for all questions are similar across mode, suggesting that data on sensitive financial questions collected from the two modes can be pooled. Show more

Keywords: Survey, mode, web mode, mail mode, item nonresponse, response distribution

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-170444

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 151-169, 2017

Authors: Rabbitt, Matthew P. | Coleman-Jensen, Alisha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this article we examine whether the implementation of a standardized Spanish-language Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) affects comparisons of food insecurity measures between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White households. We find that some of the food insecurity items are measuring different levels of the severity of (latent) food insecurity between these groups, but that these differences are small. While differences in the measured severity of food insecurity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White households were small, implementation of the standardized Spanish-HFSSM improved the reliability and performance of the food insecurity items. Concerns about the bias associated with differences in the …measured severity of food insecurity between these groups were assessed and found to be negligible, suggesting the Spanish- and English-language HFSSMs produce comparable measures of food insecurity. Show more

Keywords: Food security, measurement, Rasch model, differential item functioning, Hispanics, Spanish

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-170443

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 171-187, 2017

Authors: Phillips, Keith R. | Slijk, Christopher

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Data from large payroll processing companies are a potential source of regional job growth estimates that are timelier than official government statistics. Monthly private sector employment data from ADP, LLC is available for 29 U.S. states and Washington DC about 10 days prior to official employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Using a simple model with real-time data, lags of job growth and the coincident month ADP estimates, we find that for all 30 regions the information in the ADP is statistically significant in nowcasting the most recent month of job growth. Our results suggest that the …ADP data are an important source of information for analysts conducting regional current analysis. Show more

Keywords: Nowcasting, real-time data, payroll processing data, regional dataJEL classification: C13, C53, C82

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-170442

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 189-198, 2017