Survey Non-Response and Unemployment Duration

Arbeitspapier

Social surveys are often used to estimate unemployment duration distributions. Survey nonresponse may then cause a bias. We study this using a unique dataset that combines survey information of individual workers with administrative records of the same workers. The latter provide information on unemployment durations and personal characteristics of all survey respondents and non-respondents. We develop a method to empirically distinguish between two explanations for a bias in results based on only survey data: (1) selectivity due to related unobserved determinants of unemployment durations and non-response, and (2) a causal effect of a job exit on non-response. The latter may occur even in fully homogeneous populations. The methodology exploits variation in the timing of the duration outcome relative to the survey moment. The results show evidence for both explanations. We discuss implications for standard methods to deal with non-response bias.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 1303

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General ; Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Panel Data Models; Spatio-temporal Models ; Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access ; Duration Analysis; Optimal Timing Strategies ; Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search ; Classification Discontinued 2008. See C83.
• Subject: non-response bias ; unemployment measurement ; hazard rate ; sample selection ; event history ; Arbeitslosigkeit ; Dauer ; Statistische Erhebung ; Bias ; Statistischer Fehler ; Theorie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): van den Berg, Gerard J. ; Lindeboom, Maarten ; Dolton, Peter J.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2004

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/20569
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET