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

Arbeitspapier

A continuous and a discrete rating scale were implemented for a single item happiness question in a representative survey. A randomized controlled experiment enables unique analyses on data quality and distributions, which suggest superiority of the continuous scale. Results raise doubts about earlier inferences drawn on correlates of happiness. So far only self-assessed discrete happiness data have been used for research into the determinants of happiness. However, distribution distortions were found for the numerically labeled discrete scale, especially for women. Through this discretization bias, the widely reported gender happiness inequality puzzle can be explained.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper ; No. 49

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access ; General Welfare; Well-Being
• Subject: happiness ; subjective well-being ; life satisfaction ; likert scale ; visual analogue scale ; rating scales ; gender inequalities ; gender gap ; Zufriedenheit ; Geschlecht ; Messung ; Statistische Methode ; Test

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Studer, Raphael
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Zurich, Department of Economics
• (where): Zurich
• (when): 2011

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.5167/uzh-51553
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/77544
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET