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A note on synthetic data for replication purposes in agricultural economics

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  • Stefan Wimmer
  • Robert Finger

Abstract

Empirical studies in agricultural economics usually involve policy implications. In many cases, such studies rely on proprietary or confidential data that cannot be published along with the article, challenging the replicability and credibility of the results. To overcome this problem, the use of synthetic data—that is, data that do not contain a single unit of the original data—has been proposed. In this note, we illustrate the utility of synthetic data generation methods for replication purposes using a range of methods from agricultural production analysis. More specifically, we compare input elasticities and technical efficiency scores based on different farm‐level production data between original data and synthetic data. We generate synthetic data using a non‐parametric method of classification and regression trees (CART) and parametric linear regressions. We find synthetic data result in elasticities and technical efficiency distributions that are very similar to the original data, especially when generated with CART, and conclude with implications for the research community.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Wimmer & Robert Finger, 2023. "A note on synthetic data for replication purposes in agricultural economics," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(1), pages 316-323, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jageco:v:74:y:2023:i:1:p:316-323
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-9552.12505
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    Cited by:

    1. Hüttel, Silke & Hess, Sebastian, 2023. "Lessons from the p-value debate and the replication crisis for "open Q science" – the editor's perspective or: will the revolution devour its children?," DARE Discussion Papers 2302, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    2. Adelaja, Adesoji & George, Justin, 2024. "Terrorism and land use in agriculture: A response to a replication attempt and additional insights on replication guidelines," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    3. Ölkers, Tim & Kirchner, Ella & Mußhoff, Oliver, 2023. "Terrorism and land use in agriculture: The case of Boko Haram in Nigeria - a replication attempt of the paper by Adelaja & George (2019)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    4. Tobias Dalhaus & Linda Steinhübel & Bernhard Dalheimer & Liesbeth Colen, 2024. "The future of research on sustainable food systems: Building an early‐career network of agricultural economists in Europe," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(2), pages 319-324, April.
    5. Robert Finger & Carola Grebitus & Arne Henningsen, 2024. "Improving Agricultural Policy Decisions through Replications," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 23(1), pages 63-66, April.
    6. Thibaut Arpinon & Marianne Lefebvre, 2024. "Registered Reports and Associated Benefits for Agricultural Economics," Post-Print hal-04635986, HAL.
    7. Robert Finger & Carola Grebitus & Arne Henningsen, 2023. "Replications in agricultural economics," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(3), pages 1258-1274, September.

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