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How far does the apple really fall from the tree?: Practical guidance on measuring intergenerational mobility from a simulation framework

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  • Marcelo Cardona
  • Sam Jones

Abstract

Despite the importance attributed to intergenerational educational mobility in the process of development, there remains little consensus on how mobility should be measured. We present analytical and empirical evidence regarding the sensitivity of alternative estimators to different forms of measurement error and data transformations. To do so, we develop a flexible simulation model, allowing us to quantify the bias associated with different empirical choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo Cardona & Sam Jones, 2021. "How far does the apple really fall from the tree?: Practical guidance on measuring intergenerational mobility from a simulation framework," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-101, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. David Card & Ciprian Domnisoru & Lowell Taylor, 2022. "The Intergenerational Transmission of Human Capital: Evidence from the Golden Age of Upward Mobility," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(S1), pages 39-95.
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    6. Shahe Emran & Forhad Shilpi, 2019. "Economic approach to intergenerational mobility: Measures, methods, and challenges in developing countries," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-98, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    1. Ahsan, Md Nazmul & Shilpi, Forhad & Emran, Shahe, 2022. "Unintended bottleneck and essential nonlinearity: Understanding the effects of public primary school expansion on intergenerational educational mobility," MPRA Paper 113047, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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