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Measuring and Detecting Errors in Occupational Coding: an Analysis of SHARE Data

Author

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  • Belloni Michele

    (Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. S. Giobbe, Cannaregio, 873 30121 Venice, Italy)

  • Brugiavini Agar

    (Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. S. Giobbe, Cannaregio, 873 30121 Venice, Italy)

  • Meschi Elena

    (Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. S. Giobbe, Cannaregio, 873 30121 Venice, Italy)

  • Tijdens Kea

    (University of Amsterdam/Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS), Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Abstract

This article studies coding errors in occupational data, as the quality of this data is important but often neglected. In particular, we recoded open-ended questions on occupation for last and current job in the Dutch sample of the “Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe” (SHARE) using a high-quality software program for ex-post coding (CASCOT software). Taking CASCOT coding as our benchmark, our results suggest that the incidence of coding errors in SHARE is high, even when the comparison is made at the level of one-digit occupational codes (28% for last job and 30% for current job). This finding highlights the complexity of occupational coding and suggests that processing errors due to miscoding should be taken into account when undertaking statistical analyses or writing econometric models. Our analysis suggests strategies to alleviate such coding errors, and we propose a set of equations that can predict error. These equations may complement coding software and improve the quality of occupational coding.

Suggested Citation

  • Belloni Michele & Brugiavini Agar & Meschi Elena & Tijdens Kea, 2016. "Measuring and Detecting Errors in Occupational Coding: an Analysis of SHARE Data," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 32(4), pages 917-945, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:32:y:2016:i:4:p:917-945:n:11
    DOI: 10.1515/jos-2016-0049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Massing Natascha & Wasmer Martina & Wolf Christof & Zuell Cornelia, 2019. "How Standardized is Occupational Coding? A Comparison of Results from Different Coding Agencies in Germany," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 35(1), pages 167-187, March.
    2. Peycheva Darina N. & Sakshaug Joseph W. & Calderwood Lisa, 2021. "Occupation Coding During the Interview in a Web-First Sequential Mixed-Mode Survey," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 37(4), pages 981-1007, December.

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