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Detecting Effects on Net Worth Is NettlesomeWork:Fragility in a Randomized Experiment with Individual Development Accounts

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Schreiner

    (Washington University in Saint Louis)

  • Michael Sherraden

    (Washington University in Saint Louis)

Abstract

This article analyzes data from a randomized experiment on how matched-savings accounts affect the net worth of low-income people. We find that estimates are sensitive to probable data errors and to the handling of missing values. In contrast to the findings of Mills et al. 2008, some of the estimated impacts on net worth are large, both economically and statistically. We argue that the jury is still out on the impacts of Individual Development Accounts (IDA) on net worth, and we highlight that data quality and modeling assumptions are crucial even (or especially) for randomized experiments.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Schreiner & Michael Sherraden, 2012. "Detecting Effects on Net Worth Is NettlesomeWork:Fragility in a Randomized Experiment with Individual Development Accounts," Journal of Income Distribution, Ad libros publications inc., vol. 21(2), pages 116-135, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jid:journl:y:2012:v:21:i:2:p:116-135
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    saving; data quality; randomized experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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