Journal of Economic and Social Measurement - Volume 18, issue 1-4

Authors: Citro, Constance F. | Kalton, Graham

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-401

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 1-4, 1992

Authors: David, Martin H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: SIPP is now in its ninth year of data collection. Measurements collected have advanced understanding of poverty, program eligibility, and simulation of alternatives to the current tax and transfer programs of the U.S. At the same time, nine years of …measurement disclose limitations for the scientific design that is currently used. Inconsistencies in the responses collected in different interviews (the seam problem), the large number of censored spells during which respondents are eligible for welfare, or receive welfare transfers, and the failure of analysts to exploit identical measures taken from independent samples that are taken in the same month all point to the need to rethink the scientific design for SIPP. This paper presents a framework for thinking about a new design; the framework integrates the underlying purposes of SIPP, thinking about troublesome problems of response error, and constraints in the operational aspects of large surveys. SIPP can provide measurements for the study of the change in the economic well-being of individuals. Analysis of SIPP can service legislation and administration affecting social services, income support, a work role, and taxation for persons with the least capabilities and opportunities in the society. Other purposes can be met by SIPP, and readers will be able to test their own objectives for a social and economic measurement within the framework that follows. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-402

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 5-23, 1992

Authors: Cain, Glen G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: SIPP is examined for its uses for economic research, particularly as a basis for estimating causal relationships between labor market outcomes and potential policy variables. The Current Population Survey dominates SIPP as a provider of descriptive statistics for most, but …not all, purposes. As a large longitudinal survey, extending for up to 32 months, and with rich data on income, wages, and other variables, SIPP has unique advantages for dynamic analysis of labor force behavior that is described by short or moderate durations, such as unemployment. Examples of historical and contemporary research studies are discussed to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of SIPP. Among several recommendations for using SIPP, it is argued that the most important is to obtain market characteristics for the city or county locations of the survey respondents. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-403

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 25-46, 1992

Authors: Manser, Marilyn E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Current Population Survey, designed to produce the official monthly labor force statistics, is valuable for many labor force studies. Long-term longitudinal labor force information is available from several sources, most notably the National Longitudinal Surveys. In contrast, the Survey …of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) was designed for analyzing within-year receipt of, and transitions in, income and program participation. Changing interviewing frequency and time in sample to improve SIPP's usefulness for these purposes while maintaining survey quality would be unlikely to enhance its role in providing labor force data. SIPP's most important uses for labor market studies are expected to center on the relationship of employment and unemployment to income and program participation and on various topics using its detailed data modules. This paper recommends consideration of alternative questionnaire methods to reduce SIPP's wave-seam problem, including an NLS-like employment history approach. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-404

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 47-65, 1992

Authors: Hill, Martha S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper evaluates SIPP as a resource for studying the interrelationship between family change and economic resources and proposes several modifications, in both design and content. The changes in design include: (1) lengthening the time frame (doubling the span of …any single panel and spacing successive waves and panels further apart); (2) redesigning the way interviewers ask and record marital change; and (3) tracking children when they move into non-SIPP households. Proposed additions to content include: (1) identifying spending units – who pools resources with whom; (2) collecting more complete information on time use; (3) gathering comprehensive data on the structure, needs, and resources of the extended family and transfers with non-resident, extended-family members; and (4) identifying the options people consider in their decisions about work and family. These modifications are discussed in the context of important aspects of measurement, major findings from SIPP thus far, and anticipated future research interests. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-405

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 67-89, 1992

Authors: Adler, Michele

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper describes SIPP data elements pertaining to health and disability, examines broad policy needs for health and disability issues from the perspective of the Department of Health and Human Services, and contains recommendations for future SIPP design. Specific health …and disability items described include health insurance, health care utilization, participation in Federal disability programs, functional disability (i.e. ADLs and IADLs), work disability, and children's disability. The paper contains recommendations to more consistently collect health and disability data in SIPP. Although the goals of SIPP are to study the dynamics of Federal program participation and describe the income distribution of the population, since program participation and income are so closely influenced by health and disability, SIPP's goals cannot be fully met until health and disability data are collected more consistently. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-406

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 91-124, 1992

Authors: Laplante, Mitchell P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) has been used to provide descriptive estimates of the health and disability status of the U.S. population. Comparisons are drawn between SIPP estimates and independent estimates of disability including data from Canada …and Britain which shows evidence of the reliability and weaknesses of certain measurements. SIPP is found to substantially underestimate participation in special education programs and fails to measure enrollment of children with disabilities in SSI. It is found that at least 1 million adults with severe functional limitations who are unable to work receive no Social Security disability benefits. It is argued that SIPP could be employed more effectively to see why this situation occurs and to more effectively examine the adequacy of benefits provided to persons with work disabilities. SIPP also provides a unique resource for studying changes in disability status and their socioeconomic impact which has been underutilized. Several recommendations for improving SIPP are provided. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-407

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 125-154, 1992

Authors: Blank, Rebecca M. | Ruggles, Patricia

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-408

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 155-176, 1992

Authors: Watts, Harold W.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-409

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 177-191, 1992

Authors: Holden, Karen C.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-410

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 193-212, 1992

Authors: Connelly, Rachel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper focusses on two of SIPP's topical modules – child care and child support. Besides for the word child in their titles and the fact that they are often asked in the same wave of the survey, the two modules are Quite different …and are discussed separately. In each case the paper traces the changes in the questions from 1984 to 1990, suggests research uses for the information gathered in the modules, and makes suggestions for future questionnaires. The work schedule module is also discussed briefly and it is suggested that it continue to be asked in conjunction with the child care module. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-411

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 213-230, 1992

Authors: McGroder, Sharon M.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-412

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 231-252, 1992

Authors: Mellgren, Linda M.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-413

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 253-270, 1992

Authors: Moffitt, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The SIPP has proven extremely useful for the study of program participation and has permitted the analysis of participation issues that cannot be addressed with the CPS or with the available U.S. panels. The usefulness of SIPP lies more in …its cross-sectional dimension, where that dimension is defined to include the extended length that permits measurement of participation activity over multiple months of calendar time, than in its panel dimension. The potential of SIPP for the analysis of program participation has scarcely been tapped thus far. The most severe constraint on this potential is the small size of the SIPP sample, a constraint whose relaxation deserves the highest priority. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-414

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 271-284, 1992

Authors: Williams, Roberton

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The dynamics of participation in government programs can be studied using longitudinal data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This paper examines some of the issues involved in such analysis, focusing first on the kinds of analysis …that SIPP data allow. The second section discusses the major problems with the SIPP that complicate longitudinal analyses. A concluding section suggests changes that could simplify and improve the data. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-415

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 285-301, 1992

Authors: Doyle, Pat

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The government sponsors over 20 voluntary cash and in-kind programs to assist needy persons. To measure program effectiveness, characteristics of the target population, and the impact of program reforms, the government requires a survey that supports estimation of the size …and composition of the eligible population. This paper critiques the utility of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) for measuring eligibility under 5 of these need-tested programs. SIPP offers unique advantages over other surveys: monthly accounting period, periodic measures of assets and expenses, and repeated measures of household composition, program unit composition, and income from over 50 different sources. SIPP has disadvantages as well: small sample, omission of some determinants of program eligibility, lack of repetition of key data elements, and data that have been subject to errors and delays. The small sample size is the most crucial barrier to wide-spread use of SIPP for program analysis. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-416

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 303-334, 1992

Authors: Smeeding, Timothy M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents alternative foci and suggestions for improved data on income and well-being from the SIPP. It includes recommendations for several minor changes and also for a larger scale reorganization which would make SIPP ideally suited to serve as …a basis for measuring poverty and welfare dependency in America. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-417

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 335-373, 1992

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-418

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 375-375, 1992

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1992-181-419

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 18, no. 1-4, pp. 376-376, 1992