Technical Aspects of Correspondence Studies

19 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2016 Last revised: 8 May 2022

See all articles by Joanna Lahey

Joanna Lahey

Texas A&M University - George Bush School of Government and Public Service; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Ryan A. Beasley

Onc.AI

Date Written: November 2016

Abstract

This paper discusses technical concerns and choices that arise when crafting a correspondence or audit study using external validity as a motivating framework. We will discuss resume creation, including power analysis, choice of inputs, pros and cons of matching pairs, solutions to the limited template problem, and ensuring that instruments indicate what the experimenters want them to indicate. Further topics about implementation include when and for how long to field a study, deciding on a participant pool, and whether or not to use replacement from the participant pool. More technical topics include matching outcomes to inputs, data storage, and analysis issues such as when to use clustering, when not to use fixed effects, and how to measure heterogeneous and interactive effects. We end with a technical checklist that experimenters can utilize prior to fielding a correspondence study.

Suggested Citation

Lahey, Joanna and Beasley, Ryan A., Technical Aspects of Correspondence Studies (November 2016). NBER Working Paper No. w22818, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2868916

Joanna Lahey (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University - George Bush School of Government and Public Service ( email )

TAMU 4220
1004 George Bush Dr West
College Station, TX 77843
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Ryan A. Beasley

Onc.AI ( email )

232 Windsor Dr
San Carlos, CA 94070
United States

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