Comparing Standard Deviation Effects Across Contexts

Authors

Ben Ost, University of IllnoisFollow
Anuj Gangopadhyaya, Urban InstituteFollow
Jeffrey C. Schiman, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Publication Title

Education Economics

DOI

10.1080/09645292.2016.1203868

ISSN

1469-5782

Abstract

Studies using tests scores as the dependent variable often report point estimates in student standard deviation units. We note that a standard deviation is not a standard unit of measurement since the distribution of test scores can vary across contexts. As such, researchers should be cautious when interpreting differences in the numerical size of point estimates when comparing across contexts. We empirically assess the importance of this issue both within the United States and internationally.

Recommended Citation

Ost, Ben, Anuj Gangopadhyaya, Jeffrey C. Schiman. 2017. "Comparing Standard Deviation Effects Across Contexts." Education Economics, 25 (3): 251-265. doi: 10.1080/09645292.2016.1203868
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/econ-facpubs/44