University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: methodology

Comparing Data Quality of Fertility and First Sexual Intercourse Histories

Wu, Lawrence, Steven P. Martin, and Daniel A. Long Working paper no. 1999-08 Abstract This paper evaluates the data quality of two demographic variables in light of hypotheses on respondent recall from the literature on survey methodology. An emerging consensus in this literature is that recall of the timing of an event declines with duration …

When Census Geography Doesn’t Work: Using Ancillary Information to Improve the Spatial Interpolation of Demographic Data

Voss, Paul, David D. Long, and Roger B. Hammer Working paper no. 1999-26 Abstract This paper introduces two new spatial interpolation techniques that utilize the network of road segments and the resulting nodes to allocate aggregated demographic characteristics from one type of geographic boundaries (i.e., the geographic hierarchy of the U.S. Census) to another (e.g. …

Development of a Personal Event Schema

Dykema, Jennifer, and Nora Cate Schaeffer Working paper no. 1999-27 Abstract A substantial proportion of the research conducted by social scientists involves measuring, describing, and analyzing phenomena that can be broadly classified as events or behaviors. In order to measure experience systematically and in a manner that permits generalization across individuals and to larger groups, …

Convergent Trends in Black-White Test-Score Differentials in the U.S.: A Correction of Richard Lynn

Huang, Min-Hsiung, and Robert Hauser Working paper no. 2000-07 Abstract Using aggregate data from the General Social Survey (GSS), 1974-1996, Lynn (1998) claims that the Black-White intelligence difference in the United States has not been narrowing over time. We replicate Lynn’s analysis and challenge his conclusion by identifying several methodological problems. By analyzing changes in …

Surveys of the Life Course and Aging: Some Comparisons

Kuo, Hsiang-Hui Daphne, Hyunjoon Park, Taissa S. Hauser, Robert M. Hauser, and Nadine F. Marks Working paper no. 2001-06 Abstract In this paper, we introduce, compare, and evaluate the design and content of five major longitudinal studies of aging: the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), National Survey of Families and Households …