Choosing a Proxy for Academic Aptitude


Publication: Journal of Economic Education

Volume: Volume 37, No. 2

Issue: Spring 2006

Pages: 131-147

Author(s): Wayne A. Grove, Tim Wasserman, and Andrew Grodner

Address (Principal Author):

Wayne A Grove

Department of Economics

Le Moyne College

1419 Salt Springs Road

Syracuse, NY 13214-1399

Tel: 315-445-4465

Fax:315-445-4540

Internet Address (Principal Author):  grovewa@lemoyne.edu

Title: Choose a Proxy for Academic Aptitude

Abstract: The authors investigate how the proxy for academic ability affects estimates of undergraduate student learning of economics by testing over 150 alternative specifications. They find that collegiate GPA data offer the best proxy for students’ individual propensities to learn economics—a result that runs counter to researchers’ actual proxy choices.


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