The Measurement of Cognitive Ability in Wave 12 of the HILDA Survey

36 Pages Posted: 19 Dec 2013

See all articles by Mark Wooden

Mark Wooden

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: December 1, 2013

Abstract

This paper provides a statistical overview of three new cognitive ability measures collected in wave 12 of the HILDA Survey: (i) Backwards Digit Span; (ii) the Symbol Digits Modalities Test; and (iii) a 25-item version of the National Adult Reading Test. The paper: analyses willingness to participate (as reflected in item response); examines the evidence on the performance of the measures and the extent to which scores were influenced by external circumstances, interview mode, and interviewers; reports summary descriptive data; and presents cursory evidence on the extent to which the measures are predictive of outcomes, and more specifically the hourly wage among working-age employees.

Keywords: Cognitive ability, HILDA Survey, survey measurement, panel survey data, wages

JEL Classification: C81, I20, J24

Suggested Citation

Wooden, Mark, The Measurement of Cognitive Ability in Wave 12 of the HILDA Survey (December 1, 2013). Melbourne Institute Working Paper No. 44/13, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2369079 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2369079

Mark Wooden (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research ( email )

Level 5, FBE Building, 111 Barry Street
Parkville, Victoria 3010
Australia

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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