Response Errors in Labor Surveys: Comparisons of Self and Proxy

Written by:
Working Paper Number: SEHSD-WP1987-09 or SIPP-WP-28

Preface

Simple differences between reports from self and proxy respondents from non-experimental studies can not be taken as evidence of differential reporting behavior. Both groups are to some extent self-selected and mean reports will contain selectivity bias. In this paper, a traditional response error model is modified to incorporate selectivity bias explicitly. The model is estimated on monthly earnings data for prime-age males from SIPP. The results suggest the existence of substantial selectivity and differential reporting biases as well as differential reporting error variance.

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021