World income inequality databases: an assessment of WIID and SWIID

Jenkins, Stephen P. ORCID: 0000-0002-8305-9774 (2015) World income inequality databases: an assessment of WIID and SWIID. Journal of Economic Inequality, 13 (4). pp. 629-671. ISSN 1569-1721

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Abstract

This article assesses two secondary data compilations about income inequality – the World Income Inequality Database (WIIDv2c), and the Standardized World Income Inequality Database (SWIIDv4.0) which is based on WIID but with all observations multiply-imputed. WIID and SWIID are convenient and accessible sources for researchers seeking cross-national data with global coverage for relatively long time periods. Against these undoubted benefits must be set costs arising from lack of data comparability and quality and also, in the case of SWIID, questions about its imputation model. WIID and SWIID users need to recognize this benefit-cost trade-off and ensure their substantive conclusions are robust to potential data problems. I provide detailed description of the nature and contents of both sources plus illustrative regression analysis. From a data issues perspective, I recommend WIID over SWIID, though my support for use of WIID is conditional.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://link.springer.com/journal/10888
Additional Information:	© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York
Divisions:	Social Policy STICERD
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
JEL classification:	C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C8 - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs > C81 - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C8 - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs > C82 - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Macroeconomic Data D - Microeconomics > D3 - Distribution > D31 - Personal Income, Wealth, and Their Distributions
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2015 11:14
Last Modified:	14 Apr 2024 20:33
Projects:	RES-518-28-001
Funders:	Research Centre on Micro-Social Change (University of Essex), Economic and Social Research Council
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/62173

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