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Worker Flows and Occupations in the CPS 1976-2010: A Framework for Adjusting the Data

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  • Alexandre Ounnas

    (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES))

Abstract

This paper proposes a framework for adjusting issues affecting series of stocks and gross flows by occupations obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Using data over the period 1976-2010 and the occupation classification of Autor and Dorn (2013) to rank occupations between high, medium and low skills, I adjust series for the 1994 redesign of the CPS questionnaire, changes in occupational classification and revisions in the size and composition of the US population. In a second step, I correct flow rates for the Time Aggregation bias. Due to constraints specific to flow rates by occupation, the correction proposed by Shimer (2012) and Elsby et al. (2015) cannot be applied. As a result, I use the bayesian estimation method of Bladt and Sørensen (2005).

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Ounnas, 2020. "Worker Flows and Occupations in the CPS 1976-2010: A Framework for Adjusting the Data," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2020008, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvir:2020008
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    File URL: https://sites.uclouvain.be/econ/DP/IRES/2020008.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Current Population Survey; occupations; unobserved component model; time aggregation bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C5 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling
    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers

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