This paper studies how U.S. local labor markets respond to employment losses that occur during recessions. Following recessions from 1973 through 2009, we find that areas that lose more jobs during the recession experience persistent relative declines in employment and population. Most...

Good data on the size and composition of the independent contractor workforce are elusive, with household survey and administrative tax data often disagreeing on levels and trends. We carried out a series of focus groups to learn how self-employed independent contractors speak about their work....

The share of workers who are self-employed rises markedly with age. Given policy concerns about inadequate retirement savings, especially among those with lower education, and the resulting interest in encouraging employment at older ages, it is important to understand the role that...

Gaining entrance to a four-year college or university, particularly a selective institution, has become increasingly competitive over the last several decades. We document this phenomenon and show how it has varied across different parts of the student ability distribution and across region,...

On March 30, 2005, nurses, hospital administrators, health care researchers, legislators, and policy advisors gathered together to evaluate options for improving patient safety and nursing conditions in Massachusetts hospitals. They were participating in a conference cosponsored by the...

Gaining entrance to a four-year college or university, particularly a selective institution, has become increasingly competitive over the last several decades. We document this phenomenon and show how it has varied across different parts of the student ability distribution and across regions,...

Improved self-checkout technology means retailers can now offer more choices for customers in how they pay.

The list starts with the right to vote in 1920 and continues up through the court settlements of 2004.

The rise of DVD players in the United States.

Annual returns on local investments.