selection bias and self-selection

James J. Heckman
From The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, Second Edition, 2008
Edited by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume
Alternate versions available: 1987 Edition
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Abstract

This entry defines the problems of selection bias and presents the conditions required to solve them. It gives examples of common sampling frames, presents economic selection mechanisms, and discusses the assumptions required to use selected samples to determine features of the population distribution.
The analytical framework developed to understand selection bias problems is also fruitful in understanding the economics of self-selection. The prototypical model of choice theoretic self-selection is the Roy model, in which agents choose among a variety of discrete ‘occupational’ opportunities. The Roy model is presented and its fruitful extension to a variety of settings is demonstrated.
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How to cite this article

Heckman, James J. "selection bias and self-selection." The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Second Edition. Eds. Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics Online. Palgrave Macmillan. 09 September 2010 <http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_S000084> doi:10.1057/9780230226203.1504

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Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Article
    • 1 A definition and some examples of selection bias
    • Example 1
    • Example 2
    • Example 3
    • Example 4
    • Example 5
    • Example 6. Length biased sampling
    • Example 7. Choice based sampling
    • Example 8. Size biased sampling
    • 2 Economic models of self-selection
  • Bibliography
  • How to cite this article