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Measuring Knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Heckman, James J.

    (University of Chicago)

  • Zhou, Jin

    (University of Chicago)

Abstract

Empirical studies in the economics of education, the measurement of skill gaps across demographic groups, and the impacts of interventions on skill formation rely on psychometrically validated test scores that record the proportion of items correctly answered. Test scores are sometimes taken as measures of an invariant scale of human capital that can be compared over time and people. We show that for a prototypical test, invariance is violated. We use an unusually rich data set from an early childhood intervention program that measures knowledge of narrowly defined skills on essentially equivalent subsets of tasks. We examine if conventional, broadly-defined measures of skill are the same across people who are comparable on detailed knowledge measures. We reject the hypothesis of aggregate scale invariance and call into question the uncritical use of test scores in research on education and on skill formation. We compare different measures of skill and ability and reject the hypothesis of valid aggregate measures of skill.

Suggested Citation

  • Heckman, James J. & Zhou, Jin, 2022. "Measuring Knowledge," IZA Discussion Papers 15252, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15252
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Flavio Cunha & James J. Heckman & Susanne M. Schennach, 2010. "Estimating the Technology of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skill Formation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 78(3), pages 883-931, May.
    2. Heather C. Hill, 2009. "Evaluating value-added models: A validity argument approach," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 700-709.
    3. Petra E. Todd & Kenneth I. Wolpin, 2007. "The Production of Cognitive Achievement in Children: Home, School, and Racial Test Score Gaps," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 91-136.
    4. Francesco Agostinelli & Morteza Saharkhiz & Matthew J. Wiswall, 2019. "Home and School in the Development of Children," NBER Working Papers 26037, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Marta Rubio-Codina & María Caridad Araujo & Orazio P. Attanasio & Sally Grantham-McGregor, 2016. "Concurrent Validity and Feasibility of Short Tests Currently Used to Measure Early Childhood Development in Large Scale Studies: Methodology and Results," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 95556, Inter-American Development Bank.
    6. Flavio Cunha & James J. Heckman, 2008. "Formulating, Identifying and Estimating the Technology of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skill Formation," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 43(4).
    7. John Cawley & James Heckman & Edward Vytlacil, 1999. "On Policies To Reward The Value Added By Educators," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 81(4), pages 720-727, November.
    8. Flavio Cunha & Eric Nielsen & Benjamin Williams, 2021. "The Econometrics of Early Childhood Human Capital and Investments," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 13(1), pages 487-513, August.
    9. Rubio-Codina, Marta & Araujo, María Caridad & Attanasio, Orazio P. & Grantham-McGregor, Sally, 2016. "Concurrent Validity and Feasibility of Short Tests Currently Used to Measure Early Childhood Development in Large Scale Studies: Methodology and Results," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 7823, Inter-American Development Bank.
    10. Steven G. Rivkin & Eric A. Hanushek & John F. Kain, 2005. "Teachers, Schools, and Academic Achievement," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 73(2), pages 417-458, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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