Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/110107 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 8944
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We propose a simple, distribution-free method for pooling synthetic control case studies using the mean percentile rank. We also test for heterogeneous treatment effects using the distribution of estimated ranks, which has a known form. We propose a cross-validation based procedure for model selection. Using 29 cases of state minimum wage increases between 1979 and 2013, we find a sizable, positive and statistically significant effect on the average teen wage. We do detect heterogeneity in the wage elasticities, consistent with differential bites in the policy. In contrast, the employment estimates suggest a small constant effect not distinguishable from zero.
Subjects: 
synthetic controls
program evaluation
heterogeneous treatment effects
minimum wage
JEL: 
J38
J23
J88
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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