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Varying Biases in the Matching Estimates: Evidence from Two Randomized Job Search Training Experiments

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  • Hämäläinen, Kari
  • Uusitalo, Roope
  • Vuori, Jukka

Abstract

We compare various matching estimators to the results of two randomized field experiments that evaluate employment effects of job search training programs. We find that commonly used non-experimental matching estimators tend to over-estimate the program effects and that the bias differs between programs owing to different procedures used in selecting the program participants. The bias is larger when participation is voluntary than when caseworkers assign the applicants to training. JEL codes: C93

Suggested Citation

  • Hämäläinen, Kari & Uusitalo, Roope & Vuori, Jukka, 2008. "Varying Biases in the Matching Estimates: Evidence from Two Randomized Job Search Training Experiments," Discussion Papers 438, VATT Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:fer:dpaper:438
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    File URL: https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/148425
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    Cited by:

    1. Dolton, Peter & Smith, Jeffrey A., 2011. "The Impact of the UK New Deal for Lone Parents on Benefit Receipt," IZA Discussion Papers 5491, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Ana Gorenca & Theodhor Kuro, 2018. "The Sensitivity of the Effect of on-the-Job Training on Employment Outcomes in Experimental and Non-Experimental Settings," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 14(5), pages 141-153, OCTOBER.
    3. Bando, Rosangela & Li, Xia, 2014. "The Effect of In-Service Teacher Training on Student Learning of English as a Second Language," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 6596, Inter-American Development Bank.
    4. Rosangela Bando & Xia Li, 2014. "The Effect of In-Service Teacher Training on Student Learning of English as a Second Language," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 86173, Inter-American Development Bank.
    5. Nekby, Lena, 2008. "Active labor market programs for the integration of youths and immigrants into the labor market: the Nordic experience," Macroeconomía del Desarrollo 5441, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Job search training; field experiments; matching; unemployment; Labour market; Työmarkkinat; Labor market and policies promoting economic growth; Työmarkkinat ja kasvua tukeva politiikka;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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