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How do partly omitted control variables influence the averages used in meta-analysis in economics?

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Paldam

    (Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University)

Abstract

Meta regression analysis is used to extract the best average from a set of N primary studies of one economic parameter. Three averages of the N-set are discussed: The mean, the PET meta-average and the augmented meta-average. They are affected by control variables that are used in some of the primary studies. They are the POCs, partly omitted controls, of the meta-study. Some POCs are ceteris paribus controls chosen to make results from different data samples comparable. They should differ. Others are model variables. They may be true and should always be included, while others are false and should always be excluded, if only we knew. If POCs are systematically included for their effect on the estimate of the parameter, it gives publication bias. It is corrected by the meta-average. If a POC is randomly included, it gives a bias, which is corrected by the augmented meta-average. With many POCs very many augmentations are possible. The mean of all augmented meta-averages is also the mean of the N-set. If it has a publication bias so do the average augmented meta-averages.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Paldam, 2013. "How do partly omitted control variables influence the averages used in meta-analysis in economics?," Economics Working Papers 2013-22, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    • Handle: RePEc:aah:aarhec:2013-22
    as

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    File URL: https://repec.econ.au.dk/repec/afn/wp/13/wp13_22.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xavier Sala-I-Martin & Gernot Doppelhofer & Ronald I. Miller, 2004. "Determinants of Long-Term Growth: A Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates (BACE) Approach," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(4), pages 813-835, September.
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    3. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2013. "The Robust Result in Meta-analysis of Aid Effectiveness: A Response to Mekasha and Tarp," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 584-587, April.
    4. Sala-i-Martin, Xavier, 1997. "I Just Ran Two Million Regressions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(2), pages 178-183, May.
    5. Martin Paldam & Laurent Callot, 2010. "Natural funnel asymmetries. A simulation analysis of the three basic tools of meta analysis," Economics Working Papers 2010-01, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Meta-analysis; omitted variables; meta-average;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B4 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments

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