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How Reliable are Income Data Collected with a Single Question?

Author

Listed:
  • John Micklewright

    (Depatment of Quantitative Social Science - Institute of Education, University of London.)

  • Sylke V. Schnepf

    (School of Social Sciences and Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute, University of Southampton)

Abstract

Income is an important correlate for numerous phenomena in the social sciences. But many surveys collect data with just a single question covering all forms of income. This raises questions over the reliability of the data collected. Issues of reliability are heightened when individuals are asked about the household total rather than own income alone. We argue that the large literature on measuring incomes has not devoted enough attention to ‘single-question’ surveys. We investigate the reliability of single-question data using the ONS Omnibus survey and British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey as examples. We compare the distributions of income in these surveys – individual income in the Omnibus and household income in the BSA --- with those in two larger UK surveys that measure income in much greater detail. Distributions compare less well for household income than for individual income. Disaggregation by gender proves fruitful in much of the analysis. We also establish levels of item non-response to the income question in single-question surveys from a wide range of countries.

Suggested Citation

  • John Micklewright & Sylke V. Schnepf, 2009. "How Reliable are Income Data Collected with a Single Question?," DoQSS Working Papers 09-03, Quantitative Social Science - UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
    • Handle: RePEc:qss:dqsswp:0903
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    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access

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