In some practical applications of transition models there is a natural limit on the duration of some state. An important example is the Youth Training Scheme (YTS), which is normally limited to two years. The authors modify the usual competing risks model for this case and derive a diagnostic...

We estimate parametric and semi-parametric binary choice models of benefit take-up by British pensioners and use a revealed preference argument to infer the cash-equivalent value of disutility arising from stigma or complexity of the claims process. These implicit costs turn out to be relatively...

Microsimulation models are commonly used to examine the distributional impact of reforms of the means-tested benefit system. Take-up behaviour is related to the level of entitlement, so reform may induce changes in take-up. We develop a stochastic simulation method and apply it to a probit model...

We estimate parametric and semi-parametric binary choice models of benefit take-up by British pensioners and use a revealed preference argument to infer the cash-equivalent value of disutility arising from stigma or complexity of the claims process. These implicit costs turn out to be relatively...

We use data from the New England and Wales Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) programme to assess the validity of self-report measures of illicit drug use and to evaluate the use of alternative drug testing strategies within survey enquiries. Our analysis of the NEW-ADAM data reveals that...

This study investigates the routes by which young people develop patterns of drug-using and offending behaviour. Survey data are used to assess the gateway effect — the tendency for soft drug use to lead to subsequent hard drug use and criminal activity. We argue that apparently strong gateway...

The routes by which young people develop offending behaviour are very varied and strongly influenced by family background. A good understanding of the temporal sequences of first experiences of illicit drug use and other offending behaviour is needed before any plausible attempt can be made to...