@unpublished{Kohler2015, author = {Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Maintaining quality}, series = {Survey research methods}, volume = {9}, journal = {Survey research methods}, number = {3}, publisher = {European Survey Research Association}, address = {Duisburg}, issn = {1864-3361}, pages = {139 -- 140}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Survey Research Methods has slightly revised its publication policies. Firstly, starting with the publication of this Editorial, SRM will accept - under specified conditions - manuscripts that discuss experiments in non-probability samples for peer-review. Secondly, SRM will require authors to publish replication materials of their study as Online supplement to their article. Finally, Survey Research Methods will publish replication studies of articles published in the journal. This Editorial gives reasons for these changes.}, language = {en} } @misc{KeckKohlerNauenburg2016, author = {Keck, Wolfgang and Kohler, Ulrich and Nauenburg, Ricarda}, title = {Quality of life in the european union and the candidate countries}, publisher = {WZB - Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin f{\"u}r Sozialforschung}, doi = {10.7802/1209}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Harmonized data file as the basis for comparative analysis of quality of life in the Candidate Countries and the European Union member states, based on seven different data sets, one Eurobarometer survey covering 13 Candidate Countries with an identical set of variables conducted in April 2002, the other six Standard Eurobarometer of different subjects and fielded in different years, each with another set of questions identical with the CC Eurobarometer. Selected aggregate indicators of quality of life ... describing the social situation in the EU15 and Candidate Countries.}, language = {en} } @misc{ClassKohlerKrawietz2018, author = {Class, Fabian and Kohler, Ulrich and Krawietz, Marian}, title = {The Potsdam Grievance Statistics File}, series = {Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History}, journal = {Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-412843}, pages = {24}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The newly collected "Potsdam Grievance Statistics File" (PGSF) holds data on the number and topics of grievances ("Eingaben") that were addressed to local authorities of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the years 1970 to 1989. The PGSF allows quantitative analyses on topics such as participation, quality of life, and value change in the German Democratic Republic. This paper introduces the concepts of the data set and discusses the validity of its contents.}, language = {en} } @article{BradyGiesselmannKohleretal.2018, author = {Brady, David and Giesselmann, Marco and Kohler, Ulrich and Radenacker, Anke}, title = {How to measure and proxy permanent income}, series = {The Journal of Economic Inequality}, volume = {16}, journal = {The Journal of Economic Inequality}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1569-1721}, doi = {10.1007/s10888-017-9363-9}, pages = {321 -- 345}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Permanent income (PI) is an enduring concept in the social sciences and is highly relevant to the study of inequality. Nevertheless, there has been insufficient progress in measuring PI. We calculate a novel measure of PI with the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). Advancing beyond prior approaches, we define PI as the logged average of 20+ years of post-tax and post-transfer ("post-fisc") real equivalized household income. We then assess how well various household- and individual-based measures of economic resources proxy PI. In both datasets, post-fisc household income is the best proxy. One random year of post-fisc household income explains about half of the variation in PI, and 2-5 years explain the vast majority of the variation. One year of post-fisc HH income even predicts PI better than 20+ years of individual labor market earnings or long-term net worth. By contrast, earnings, wealth, occupation, and class are weaker and less cross-nationally reliable proxies for PI. We also present strategies for proxying PI when HH post-fisc income data are unavailable, and show how post-fisc HH income proxies PI over the life cycle. In sum, we develop a novel approach to PI, systematically assess proxies for PI, and inform the measurement of economic resources more generally.}, language = {en} } @article{KohlerKreuterStuart2018, author = {Kohler, Ulrich and Kreuter, Frauke and Stuart, Elizabeth A.}, title = {Nonprobability Sampling and Causal Analysis}, series = {Annual review of statistics and its application}, volume = {6}, journal = {Annual review of statistics and its application}, publisher = {Annual Reviews}, address = {Palo Alto}, issn = {2326-8298}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-statistics-030718-104951}, pages = {149 -- 172}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The long-standing approach of using probability samples in social science research has come under pressure through eroding survey response rates, advanced methodology, and easier access to large amounts of data. These factors, along with an increased awareness of the pitfalls of the nonequivalent comparison group design for the estimation of causal effects, have moved the attention of applied researchers away from issues of sampling and toward issues of identification. This article discusses the usability of samples with unknown selection probabilities for various research questions. In doing so, we review assumptions necessary for descriptive and causal inference and discuss research strategies developed to overcome sampling limitations.}, language = {en} } @article{Kohler2019, author = {Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Possible uses of nonprobability sampling for the social sciences}, series = {Survey methods : insights from the field}, journal = {Survey methods : insights from the field}, publisher = {Swiss Found. for Research in Social Sciences}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-4754}, doi = {10.13094/SMIF-2019-00014}, pages = {13}, year = {2019}, abstract = {This paper compares the usability of data stemming from probability sampling with data stemming from nonprobability sampling. It develops six research scenarios that differ in their research goals and assumptions about the data generating process. It is shown that inferences from data stemming from nonprobability sampling implies demanding assumptions on the homogeneity of the units being studied. Researchers who are not willing to pose these assumptions are generally better off using data from probability sampling, regardless of the amount of nonresponse. However, even in cases when data from probability sampling is clearly advertised, data stemming from nonprobability sampling may contribute to the cumulative scientific endeavour of pinpointing a plausible interval for the parameter of interest.}, language = {en} } @article{HippKohlerLeumann2019, author = {Hipp, Lena and Kohler, Ulrich and Leumann, Sandra}, title = {How to implement respondent-driven sampling in practice}, series = {Survey methods : insights from the field}, journal = {Survey methods : insights from the field}, publisher = {Swiss Found. for Research in Social Sciences}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-4754}, doi = {10.13094/SMIF-2019-00009}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2019}, abstract = {This article draws on the experience from an ongoing research project employing respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to survey (illicit) 24-hour home care workers. We highlight issues around the preparatory work and the fielding of the survey to provide researchers with useful insights on how to implement RDS when surveying populations for which the method has not yet been used. We conclude the article with ethical considerations that occur when employing RDS.}, language = {en} } @misc{KrawietzGoebelAlbrechtetal.2019, author = {Krawietz, Marian and Goebel, Jan and Albrecht, Sophia and Class, Fabian and Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Leben in der ehemaligen DDR}, publisher = {German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)}, address = {Berlin}, doi = {10.5684/soep.ddr18}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @misc{Kohler2020, author = {Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Editorial: Survey Research Methods during the COVID-19 Crisis}, series = {Survey Research Methods}, volume = {14}, journal = {Survey Research Methods}, number = {2}, address = {Konstanz}, issn = {1864-3361}, doi = {10.18148/srm/2020.v14i2.7769}, pages = {93 -- 94}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{PostClassKohler2020, author = {Post, Julia C. and Class, Fabian and Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Unit nonresponse biases in estimates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence}, series = {Survey research methods}, volume = {14}, journal = {Survey research methods}, number = {2}, publisher = {European Survey Research Association}, address = {Duisburg}, issn = {1864-3361}, doi = {10.18148/srm/2020.v14i2.7755}, pages = {115 -- 121}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Since COVID-19 became a pandemic, many studies are being conducted to get a better understanding of the disease itself and its spread. One crucial indicator is the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Since this measure is an important foundation for political decisions, its estimate must be reliable and unbiased. This paper presents reasons for biases in prevalence estimates due to unit nonresponse in typical studies. Since it is difficult to avoid bias in situations with mostly unknown nonresponse mechanisms, we propose the maximum amount of bias as one measure to assess the uncertainty due to nonresponse. An interactive web application is presented that calculates the limits of such a conservative unit nonresponse confidence interval (CUNCI).}, language = {en} } @article{Kohler2020, author = {Kohler, Ulrich}, title = {Survey Research Methods during the COVID-19 Crisis}, series = {Survey research methods}, volume = {14}, journal = {Survey research methods}, number = {2}, publisher = {European Survey Research Association}, address = {Konstanz}, issn = {1864-3361}, doi = {10.18148/srm/2020.v14i2.7769}, pages = {93 -- 94}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{BradyFinniganKohleretal.2020, author = {Brady, David and Finnigan, Ryan and Kohler, Ulrich and Legewie, Joscha}, title = {The inheritance of race revisited}, series = {Sociological Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {Sociological Science}, number = {25}, publisher = {Society for Sociological Science}, issn = {2330-6696}, doi = {10.15195/v7.a25}, pages = {599 -- 627}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Vast racial inequalities continue to prevail across the United States and are closely linked to economic resources. One particularly prominent argument contends that childhood wealth accounts for black-white (BW) disadvantages in life chances. This article analyzes how much childhood wealth and childhood income mediate BW disadvantages in adult life chances with Panel Study of Income Dynamics and Cross-National Equivalent File data on children from the 1980s and 1990s who were 30+ years old in 2015. Compared with previous research, we exploit longer panel data, more comprehensively assess adult life chances with 18 outcomes, and measure income and wealth more rigorously. We find large BW disadvantages in most outcomes. Childhood wealth and income mediate a substantial share of most BW disadvantages, although there are several significant BW disadvantages even after adjusting for childhood wealth and income. The evidence mostly contradicts the prominent claim that childhood wealth is more important than childhood income. Indeed, the analyses mostly show that childhood income explains more of BW disadvantages and has larger standardized coefficients than childhood wealth. We also show how limitations in prior wealth research explain why our conclusions differ. Replication with the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and a variety of robustness checks support these conclusions.}, language = {en} } @article{GerhardsKohlerSawert2021, author = {Gerhards, J{\"u}rgen and Kohler, Ulrich and Sawert, Tim}, title = {Educational expansion, social class, and choosing latin as a strategy of distinction}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Soziologie}, volume = {50}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Soziologie}, number = {5}, publisher = {de Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2366-0325}, doi = {10.1515/zfsoz-2021-0021}, pages = {306 -- 321}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In times of educational expansion, privileged families are looking for new strategies of distinction. Referring to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of distinction, we argue that choosing Latin at school - a language that is no longer spoken and therefore has no direct value - is one of the strategies of privileged families to set themselves apart from less privileged families. Based on two surveys we conducted at German schools, the paper analyzes the relationship between parents' educational background and the probability that their child will learn Latin. Results indicate that historically academic families have the strongest tendency towards learning Latin, followed by new academic families, and leaving behind the non-academic families. We distinguish between four causal mechanisms that might help to explain these associations: cultural distinction, selecting a socially exclusive learning environment, beliefs in a secondary instrumental function of learning Latin, and spatial proximity between the location of humanist Gymnasiums and the residential areas of privileged families. The hypotheses are formalized by means of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG). Findings show that the decision to learn Latin is predominately an unintended consequence of the selection of a socially exclusive learning environment. In addition, there is evidence that especially children from historically academic families learn Latin as a strategy of cultural distinction.}, language = {en} } @article{KhalilKohlerTjaden2022, author = {Khalil, Samir and Kohler, Ulrich and Tjaden, Jasper Dag}, title = {Is There a Rural Penalty in Language Acquisition? Evidence From Germany's Refugee Allocation Policy}, series = {Frontiers in Sociology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Sociology}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne, Schweiz}, issn = {2297-7775}, doi = {10.3389/fsoc.2022.841775}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Emerging evidence has highlighted the important role of local contexts for integration trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees. Germany's policy of randomly allocating asylum seekers across Germany may advantage some and disadvantage others in terms of opportunities for equal participation in society. This study explores the question whether asylum seekers that have been allocated to rural areas experience disadvantages in terms of language acquisition compared to those allocated to urban areas. We derive testable assumptions using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) which are then tested using large-N survey data (IAB-BAMF-SOEP refugee survey). We find that living in a rural area has no negative total effect on language skills. Further the findings suggest that the "null effect" is the result of two processes which offset each other: while asylum seekers in rural areas have slightly lower access for formal, federally organized language courses, they have more regular exposure to German speakers.}, language = {en} } @misc{KhalilKohlerTjaden2022, author = {Khalil, Samir and Kohler, Ulrich and Tjaden, Jasper Dag}, title = {Is There a Rural Penalty in Language Acquisition? Evidence From Germany's Refugee Allocation Policy}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1867-5808}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56626}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-566264}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Emerging evidence has highlighted the important role of local contexts for integration trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees. Germany's policy of randomly allocating asylum seekers across Germany may advantage some and disadvantage others in terms of opportunities for equal participation in society. This study explores the question whether asylum seekers that have been allocated to rural areas experience disadvantages in terms of language acquisition compared to those allocated to urban areas. We derive testable assumptions using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) which are then tested using large-N survey data (IAB-BAMF-SOEP refugee survey). We find that living in a rural area has no negative total effect on language skills. Further the findings suggest that the "null effect" is the result of two processes which offset each other: while asylum seekers in rural areas have slightly lower access for formal, federally organized language courses, they have more regular exposure to German speakers.}, language = {en} } @article{BradyGuerraKohleretal.2022, author = {Brady, David and Guerra, Christian and Kohler, Ulrich and Link, Bruce}, title = {The long arm of prospective childhood income for mature adult health in the U.S.}, series = {Journal of health and social behavior}, volume = {63}, journal = {Journal of health and social behavior}, number = {4}, publisher = {Sage}, address = {Los Angeles}, issn = {0022-1465}, doi = {10.1177/00221465221081094}, pages = {543 -- 559}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Pioneering scholarship links retrospective childhood conditions to mature adult health. We distinctively provide critical evidence with prospective state-of-the-art measures of parent income observed multiple times during childhood in the 1970s to 1990s. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we analyze six health outcomes (self-rated health, heart attack, stroke, life-threatening chronic conditions, non-life-threatening chronic conditions, and psychological distress) among 40- to 65-year-olds. Parent relative income rank has statistically and substantively significant relationships with five of six outcomes. The relationships with heart attack, stroke, and life-threatening chronic conditions are particularly strong. Parent income rank performs slightly better than alternative prospective and retrospective measures. At the same time, we provide novel validation on which retrospective measures (i.e., father's education) perform almost as well as prospective measures. Furthermore, we inform several perennial debates about how relative versus absolute income and other measures of socioeconomic status and social class influence health.}, language = {en} } @article{KhalilKohlerTjaden2022, author = {Khalil, Samir and Kohler, Ulrich and Tjaden, Jasper}, title = {Is there a rural penalty in language acquisition?}, series = {Frontiers in sociology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in sociology}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2297-7775}, doi = {10.3389/fsoc.2022.841775}, pages = {11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Emerging evidence has highlighted the important role of local contexts for integration trajectories of asylum seekers and refugees. Germany's policy of randomly allocating asylum seekers across Germany may advantage some and disadvantage others in terms of opportunities for equal participation in society. This study explores the question whether asylum seekers that have been allocated to rural areas experience disadvantages in terms of language acquisition compared to those allocated to urban areas. We derive testable assumptions using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) which are then tested using large-N survey data (IAB-BAMF-SOEP refugee survey). We find that living in a rural area has no negative total effect on language skills. Further the findings suggest that the "null effect" is the result of two processes which offset each other: while asylum seekers in rural areas have slightly lower access for formal, federally organized language courses, they have more regular exposure to German speakers.}, language = {en} } @article{KohlerClassSawert2023, author = {Kohler, Ulrich and Class, Fabian and Sawert, Tim}, title = {Control variable selection in applied quantitative sociology}, series = {European sociological review}, journal = {European sociological review}, number = {20}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0266-7215}, doi = {10.1093/esr/jcac078}, pages = {14}, year = {2023}, abstract = {A review of all research papers published in the European Sociological Review in 2016 and 2017 (N = 118) shows that only a minority of papers clearly define the parameter of interest and provide sufficient reasoning for the selected control variables of the statistical analysis. Thus, the vast majority of papers does not reach minimal standards for the selection of control variables. Consequently, a majority of papers interpret biased coefficients, or statistics without proper sociological meaning. We postulate that authors and reviewers should be more careful about control variable selection. We propose graphical causal models in the form of directed acyclic graphs as an example for a parsimonious and powerful means to that end.}, language = {en} } @misc{BradyKohlerZheng2023, author = {Brady, David and Kohler, Ulrich and Zheng, Hui}, title = {Novel estimates of mortality associated with poverty in the U.S.}, series = {The journal of the American Medical Association : JAMA}, journal = {The journal of the American Medical Association : JAMA}, publisher = {American Medical Association}, address = {Chicago, Ill.}, issn = {0254-9077}, doi = {10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0276}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The US perennially has a far higher poverty rate than peer-rich democracies.1 This high poverty rate in the US presents an enormous challenge to population health given that considerable research demonstrates that being in poverty is bad for one's health.2 Despite valuable contributions of prior research on income and mortality, the quantity of mortality associated with poverty in the US remains uknown. In this cohort study, we estimated the association between poverty and mortality and quantified the proportion and number of deaths associated with poverty.}, language = {en} } @article{KohlerBradyGuerraetal.2023, author = {Kohler, Ulrich and Brady, David and Guerra, Christian and Link, Bruce}, title = {The long term relationship between childhood Medicaid expansions and severe chronic conditions in adulthood}, series = {Social Policy and Administration}, volume = {58}, journal = {Social Policy and Administration}, number = {1}, issn = {1467-9515}, pages = {39 -- 60}, year = {2023}, language = {en} }