Utilizing parametric and nonparametric techniques, we asses the role of a heretofore relatively unexplored 'input' in the educational process, homework, on academic achievement. Our results indicate that homework is an important determinant of student test scores. Relative to more standard...

This paper proposes feasible nonparametric random effects estimators. Specifically, we propose feasible versions of the two estimators in Lin and Carroll (2000) and a modified version of the random effects estimator in Ullah and Roy (1998). Further, the consistency properties of these estimators...

Using US data from 1977-1986, we estimate the impact of environmental policy on state-level output using parametric and nonparametric techniques. While the nonparametric approach yields additional insights, the lack of a relationship between environmental regulation and output is robust

Using nonparametric, production-frontier methods, we decompose labor productivity growth into components attributable to technological change (shifts in the world production frontier), technological catch-up (movements toward or away from the frontier), and physical and human capital...

This paper employs a production frontier approach that allows distinguishing technological progress from efficiency development. Data on 35 African countries in 1970-2007 show that efficiency losses have constrained growth in Africa while technology progress has played a marginal growth...

In this paper nonparametric techniques are used to estimate higher-order moments of technical efficiency. The procedures developed in this paper allow the moments to be estimated with relative ease, while at the same not requiring restrictive assumptions on the distribution of inefficiency. The...

In this paper we compare two flexible estimators of technical efficiency in a cross-sectional setting: the nonparametric kernel SFA estimator of Fan, Li and Weersink (1996) to the nonparametric bias corrected DEA estimator of Kneip, Simar and Wilson (2008). We assess the finite sample...

Nonparametric estimators provide a flexible means of uncovering salient features of auction data. Although these estimators are popular in the literature, many key features necessary for proper implementation have yet to be uncovered. Here we provide several suggestions for nonparamteric...

Following an identification strategy that allows us to largely eliminate unobserved student and teacher traits, we examine the effect of homework on math, science, English and history test scores for eighth grade students in the United States. Noting that failure to control for these effects...