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Economic importance and statistical significance: Guidelines for communicating empirical research

Author

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  • Jane Miller
  • Yana van der Meulen Rodgers

Abstract

A critical objective for many empirical studies is a thorough evaluation of both substantive importance and statistical significance. Feminist economists have critiqued neoclassical economics studies for an excessive focus on statistical machinery at the expense of substantive issues. Drawing from the ongoing debate about the rhetoric of economic inquiry and significance tests, this paper examines approaches for presenting empirical results effectively to ensure that the analysis is accurate, meaningful, and relevant for the conceptual and empirical context. To that end, it demonstrates several measurement issues that affect the interpretation of economic significance and are commonly overlooked in empirical studies. This paper provides guidelines for clearly communicating two distinct aspects of “significance” in empirical research, using prose, tables, and charts based on OLS, logit, and probit regression results. These guidelines are illustrated with samples of ineffective writing annotated to show weaknesses, followed by concrete examples and explanations of improved presentation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Miller & Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, 2008. "Economic importance and statistical significance: Guidelines for communicating empirical research," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 117-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:femeco:v:14:y:2008:i:2:p:117-149
    DOI: 10.1080/13545700701881096
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    Cited by:

    1. Lei Zheng & Xuemeng Guo & Libin Zhao, 2021. "How Does Transportation Infrastructure Improve Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from High-Speed Railway Openings in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Choudhury, Sanchari, 2023. "Non-random selection into entrepreneurship in the realm of government decentralization and corruption," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Elke Holst & Andrea Schäfer & Mechthild Schrooten, 2011. "Remittances and Gender: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1099, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Voxi H. S. Amavilah & Antonio R. Andres, 2019. "Business Dynamics, Knowledge Economy, and the Economic Performance of African Countries," Research Africa Network Working Papers 19/004, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    5. Athena Engman, 2013. "Is there life after P>0.05? Statistical significance and quantitative sociology," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 257-270, January.
    6. repec:cup:judgdm:v:9:y:2014:i:6:p:558-571 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Migheli, Matteo, 2014. "Preferences for government interventions in the economy: Does gender matter?," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 39-48.
    8. Voxi Heinrich Amavilah & Antonio Rodriguez Andres, 2022. "Knowledge Economy and the Economic Performance of African Countries: A Seemingly Unrelated and Recursive Approach," Working Papers 57, The German University in Cairo, Faculty of Management Technology.
    9. Julie A. Nelson, 2012. "Are Women Really More Risk-Averse than Men?," GDAE Working Papers 12-05, GDAE, Tufts University.
    10. Alice Wieland & James Sundali & Markus Kemmelmeier & Rakesh Sarin, 2014. "Gender differences in the endowment effect: Women pay less, but won't accept less," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 9(6), pages 558-571, November.
    11. Zhe OuYang & Jia Xu & Jiuchang Wei & Yang Liu, 2017. "Information Asymmetry and Investor Reaction to Corporate Crisis: Media Reputation as a Stock Market Signal," Journal of Media Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(2), pages 82-95, April.
    12. Shih, Mi & Chiang, Ying-Hui & Chang, Hsiutzu Betty, 2019. "Where does floating TDR land? An analysis of location attributes in real estate development in Taiwan," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 832-840.
    13. Lisa Kaida, 2015. "Ethnic Variations in Immigrant Poverty Exit and Female Employment: The Missing Link," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(2), pages 485-511, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic significance; regression analysis; statistical significance; writing; feminist economics; JEL Codes: Y1; A29; C10;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Y1 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Data: Tables and Charts
    • A29 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Other
    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General

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