Abstract
SIPP is now in its ninth year of data collection. Measurements collected have advanced understanding of poverty, program eligibility, and simulation of alternatives to the current tax and transfer programs of the U.S. At the same time, nine years of measurement disclose limitations for the scientific design that is currently used. Inconsistencies in the responses collected in different interviews (the seam problem), the large number of censored spells during which respondents are eligible for welfare, or receive welfare transfers, and the failure of analysts to exploit identical measures taken from independent samples that are taken in the same month all point to the need to rethink the scientific design for SIPP. This paper presents a framework for thinking about a new design; the framework integrates the underlying purposes of SIPP, thinking about troublesome problems of response error, and constraints in the operational aspects of large surveys.
SIPP can provide measurements for the study of the change in the economic well-being of individuals. Analysis of SIPP can service legislation and administration affecting social services, income support, a work role, and taxation for persons with the least capabilities and opportunities in the society. Other purposes can be met by SIPP, and readers will be able to test their own objectives for a social and economic measurement within the framework that follows.
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