Journal of Economic and Social Measurement - Volume 15, issue 1

Authors: Hamlen, Jr., William | Southwick, Jr., Lawrence

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The usual method of evaluating the output of an institution of higher education is to ask knowledgeable people their opinions of its quality. This paper uses several measures of the quality of MBA programs to compare with student capability measures …and the salary of graduates. A high correlation among all these measures is found. Because these do not measure the true product of the institution which is the value added, another measure is sought. The measure proposed for determining the value added is shown to be uncorrelated with the standard quality measures. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15101

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1-26, 1989

Authors: Dugan, Michael T. | Shriver, Keith A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to discuss the compositional characteristics, potential uses, and sources of measurement error of an economic data base system (EDBS) sponsored by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). This EDBS contains current cost data detailing the effects of changing prices on approximately 1,500 companies for the years 1979–1984. These current cost data appear to be useful for empirical studies about the effects of changing prices …on users or firms in accounting research, industrial organization and macroeconomic modeling in economics research, and the predictive ability of analysts in finance research. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15102

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 27-36, 1989

Authors: Marcus, Richard D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The declining pool of new high school graduates has led colleges to begin programs to attract a new clientele of older students and encouraged colleges to consider methods to increase the retention rates of the already enrolled students. Using data …from published college guide books, this paper investigates a sample of all private U.S. four-year colleges and universities to uncover some of the determinants of freshmen retention rates. Two and three stage least squares are used to estimate a system of simultaneous equations. The results indicate that the acceptance rate, a required interview, and the average collegiate SAT score are major determining factors of retention rates at U.S. private colleges. A required interview increases the retention rate four percentage points. However, total enrollment would not be improved by enforcing stricter acceptance rate criteria because the probable loss in freshmen enrollment would not be sufficiently made up by greater retention rates. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15103

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 37-55, 1989

Authors: Dahmann, Donald C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Panel surveys are a natural source of information on migration and residential mobility. The blossoming of panel surveys during the 1970s, which includes several surveys conducted as part of evaluation components of the Income Maintenance Experiments and Experimental Housing Allowance …Programs, has yet to produce a commensurate expansion of migration research. The U.S. Bureau of the Census has recently initiated the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), designed to improve United States statistics on the distribution of income and wealth and participation in government programs. SIPP panels collect data for 2½-year periods from a minimum of 12,000 households, making them ideal for geographical mobility research. Utilization of panel surveys for migration research during the 1970s and the potential contribution of SIPP during the 1980s are discussed. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15104

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 57-70, 1989

Authors: Sahai, Hardeo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper compares subpopulations using aptitude scores obtained from a test battery administered to the 1980 high school seniors in the base year survey. The procedures and methods used to select the sample were designed to yield a data base …that can be statistically projected to represent the national population of approximately 3,040,000 1980 high school seniors. Subpopulation comparisons were performed to reveal the differences in aptitude scores by age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and census region. The mean scores of males and females were comparable, although males scored, on the average, somewhat higher than females on the mathematics component. Asians/Pacific Islanders scored higher than other racial/ethnic groups on all subtests except Vocabulary and Reading, where whites scored somewhat higher. The mean scores of whites were higher than those of either blacks or Hispanics on all measures used. There were notable differences in the mean test scores of various Hispanic subgroups, with the mean scores of Cubans exceeding Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or other Hispanics by a considerable margin. A positive correlation was encountered between test scores and the socioeconomic status or level of education attained by the examinee's mother. Geographically, students in New England had the highest average scores, followed, in order, by those in the Middle Atlantic, West North Central, East North Central, Pacific, Mountain, South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central regions. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15105

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 71-89, 1989

Authors: Rose, Leslie S. | Kingma, Hildy L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Seasonal migration from northern states to southern states has become a common pattern among the nation's elderly, but little research has been done on the implications of this seasonal movement. This paper is an initial examination of the impact of …this migration on one state, Florida, the state with the highest number of nonpermanent residents enumerated in the 1980 census. Data from the census and from a 1983 survey of Florida counties with census counts of 500 or more nonpermanent residents form the base for discussion of the extent and implications of seasonal migration to Florida. In spite of the severe limitations of the data, some useful conclusions can be drawn. The influx of elderly migrants was viewed ambivalently by the counties surveyed. The provision of goods and services to the migrants was considered important to the economic base, but it also caused some problems for the communities. Service overloads were reported and concern was expressed that the state and federal revenue sharing systems in effect at the time were based on a count only of permanent residents. This study is an exploratory one that indicates the need for further research on seasonal migration. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1989-15106

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 1989