Measuring Segregation When Units are Small: A Parametric Approach

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Business & Economic Statistics
Year: 2012
Volume: 30
Issue: 4
Pages: 546-553

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This article considers the issue of measuring segregation in a population of units that contain few individuals (e.g., establishments, classrooms). When units are small, the usual segregation indices, which are based on sample proportions, are biased. We propose a parametric solution: the probability that an individual within a given unit belongs to the minority is assumed to be distributed as a mixture of Beta distributions. The model can be estimated and indices deduced. Simulations show that this new method performs well compared to existing ones, even in the case of misspecification. An application to residential segregation in France according to parents’ nationalities is then undertaken. This article has online supplementary materials.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:taf:jnlbes:v:30:y:2012:i:4:p:546-553
Journal Field
Econometrics
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29