Econometric Methods for Research in Education

137 Pages Posted: 4 Jun 2010 Last revised: 25 Mar 2023

See all articles by Costas Meghir

Costas Meghir

Yale University; Yale University - Cowles Foundation; Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Steven G. Rivkin

Amherst College - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: May 2010

Abstract

This paper reviews some of the econometric methods that have been used in the economics of education. The focus is on understanding how the assumptions made to justify and implement such methods relate to the underlying economic model and the interpretation of the results. We start by considering the estimation of the returns to education both within the context of a dynamic discrete choice model inspired by Willis and Rosen (1979) and in the context of the Mincer model. We discuss the relationship between the econometric assumptions and economic behaviour. We then discuss methods that have been used in the context of assessing the impact of education quality, the teacher contribution to pupils' achievement and the effect of school quality on housing prices. In the process we also provide a summary of some of the main results in this literature.

Suggested Citation

Meghir, Costas and Rivkin, Steven G., Econometric Methods for Research in Education (May 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1612598

Costas Meghir (Contact Author)

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