Statistical offices try to match item models when measuring inflation between two periods. For product areas with a high turnover of differentiated models, however, the use of hedonic indexes is more appropriate since they include the prices and quantities of unmatched new and old models. The...

We consider three approaches to estimating quality-adjusted price changes: (i) the dummy variable approach from a hedonic regression, (ii) a superlative or exact hedonic index and (iii) a matching technique - a technique akin to that used by statistical offices. The dummy variable approach is...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. ELEMENTARY INDEX NUMBER FORMULAS, THEIR USE AND JUSTIFICATION -- III. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE JEVONS AND DUTOT FORMULAS -- IV. EMPIRICAL WORK -- V. IMPLICATIONS FOR CPI COMPILATION -- VI. SUMMARY -- Data Annex.

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. HEDONIC INDEXES -- III. WHY HEDONIC IMPUTATION AND DUMMY TIME HEDONIC INDEXES DIFFER -- IV. CHOICE BETWEEN HEDONIC INDEXES AND DUMMY TIME HEDONIC INDEXES -- V. CONCLUSIONS -- References.

The Consumer Price Index Manual (2004) provides guidelines for aggregation formulas that are promulgated at IMF training courses and technical assistance missions. This paper develops elementary level aggregation theory to better inform users and compilers. Most countries use either the Dutot or...