The Effects of Bracketing in Wealth Estimation

TitleThe Effects of Bracketing in Wealth Estimation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsChand, H, Gan, L
JournalReview of Income and Wealth
Volume2
Pagination273-287
Call Numberpubs_2003_Chand-Gan.pdf
KeywordsMethodology, Public Policy
Abstract

The use of bracketing in wealth surveys is sometimes criticized on the grounds that it will encourage respondents to substitute rough guesses for careful thought. In such a manner, the use of bracketing will crowd out more specic answers, creating the illusion of a reduction in nonresponse. This paper examines the patterns of wealth response in the first two waves of the Health and Retirement Study. On average, people do not appear to transition to bracketing. New tests of the breakeven level of crowding-out are suggested. Based on the explanatory power of the brackets, the degree of crowding-out which would be necessary to make the use of bracketing counterproductive appears to be much higher than plausible.

URLhttp://www.blackwell-synergy.com/rd.asp?code=roiwandgoto=journal
Endnote Keywords

Methodology/Bracketing/Crowding out

Endnote ID

11102

Citation Key6856