Measuring overeducation: incidence, correlation and overlaps across indicators and countries

Capsada-Munsech, Q. (2019) Measuring overeducation: incidence, correlation and overlaps across indicators and countries. Social Indicators Research, 145(1), pp. 279-301. (doi: 10.1007/s11205-019-02112-0)

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Abstract

The methodological debate on how to measure overeducation has been present since the introduction of the topic in the academic debate. Nevertheless, there is still no consensus on a preferred indicator. This article aims at contributing to the existing methodological debate providing systematic and cross-country evidence on the variation across overeducation measurements. Using REFLEX/HEGESCO and EULFS datasets, I provide evidence on within and across countries variation on the incidence, correlation and overlaps across the main types of objective, statistical and subjective overeducation indicators. Results suggest that worker’s self-reported indicators better cope with comparative studies, while in single-country studies objective indicators are likely to provide a more in-depth and detailed measurement. The use of statistical indicators is advised in contexts with labour markets that easily adapt to educational and employment changes, especially if these are not afected by credential infation. However, it is advisable to use more than one indicator whenever data allows it, as diferent types of overeducation measurements provide diferent outcomes and results are likely to be complementary rather than excluding information on the overeducation phenomenon. This is especially relevant when overeducation is used as a dependent variable rather than a predictor. An initial review and discussion of the existing types of overeducation measurements and their advantages and drawbacks precedes the empirical evidence.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Capsada-Munsech, Dr Queralt
Authors: Capsada-Munsech, Q.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
Journal Name:Social Indicators Research
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0303-8300
ISSN (Online):1573-0921
Published Online:28 March 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Social Indicators Research 145(1): 279-301
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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