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Publication Selection Bias in Minimum‐Wage Research? A Meta‐Regression Analysis

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  • Hristos Doucouliagos
  • T. D. Stanley
Abstract
Card and Krueger's meta‐analysis of the employment effects of minimum wages challenged existing theory. Unfortunately, their meta‐analysis confused publication selection with the absence of a genuine empirical effect. We apply recently developed meta‐analysis methods to 64 US minimum‐wage studies and corroborate that Card and Krueger's findings were nevertheless correct. The minimum‐wage effects literature is contaminated by publication selection bias, which we estimate to be slightly larger than the average reported minimum‐wage effect. Once this publication selection is corrected, little or no evidence of a negative association between minimum wages and employment remains.

Suggested Citation

  • Hristos Doucouliagos & T. D. Stanley, 2009. "Publication Selection Bias in Minimum‐Wage Research? A Meta‐Regression Analysis," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(2), pages 406-428, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:47:y:2009:i:2:p:406-428
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2009.00723.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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