title: A meta-analytic assessment of the effect of immigration on wages

authors: Longhi, Simonetta

subjects: immigration

abstract: In our increasingly interconnected and open world, international migration is becoming an important socio-economic phenomenon for many countries. Since the early 1980s, many studies have been undertaken of the impact of immigration on host labour markets. Borjas (2003) noted that the estimated effect of immigration on the wage of native workers varies widely from study to study and sometimes even within the same study. In addition, these effects cluster around zero. Such a small effect is a rather surprising outcome, given that in a closed competitive labour market an increase in labour supply may be expected to exert a downward pressure on wages. We revisit this issue by applying meta-analytic techniques to a sample of eighteen papers, which altogether generated 348 estimates of the percentage change in the wage of a native worker with respect to a one percentage point increase in the ratio of immigrants over native workers. While many studies in our sample employ US data, estimates are also obtained from Germany, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Austria, Israel and Australia. Our analysis shows that results vary across countries and are inter alia related to the type of modelling approach. Technical issues such as publication bias and quality of the estimates are addressed as well. A negative but small effect of immigration on wages of native groups with similar skills appears rather robust.

text: A meta-analytic assessment of the effect of immigration on wages In our increasingly interconnected and open world, international migration is becoming an important socio-economic phenomenon for many countries. Since the early 1980s, many studies have been undertaken of the impact of immigration on host labour markets. Borjas (2003) noted that the estimated effect of immigration on the wage of native workers varies widely from study to study and sometimes even within the same study. In addition, these effects cluster around zero. Such a small effect is a rather surprising outcome, given that in a closed competitive labour market an increase in labour supply may be expected to exert a downward pressure on wages. We revisit this issue by applying meta-analytic techniques to a sample of eighteen papers, which altogether generated 348 estimates of the percentage change in the wage of a native worker with respect to a one percentage point increase in the ratio of immigrants over native workers. While many studies in our sample employ US data, estimates are also obtained from Germany, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Austria, Israel and Australia. Our analysis shows that results vary across countries and are inter alia related to the type of modelling approach. Technical issues such as publication bias and quality of the estimates are addressed as well. A negative but small effect of immigration on wages of native groups with similar skills appears rather robust.

year: 2004-12

title: Selecting multiway splits in decision trees

authors: Frank, Eibe

subjects: computer science

abstract: Decision trees in which numeric attributes are split several ways are more comprehensible than the usual binary trees because attributes rarely appear more than once in any path from root to leaf. There are efficient algorithms for finding the optimal multiway split for a numeric attribute, given the number of intervals in which it is to be divided. The problem we tackle is how to choose this number in order to obtain small, accurate trees.

text: Selecting multiway splits in decision trees Decision trees in which numeric attributes are split several ways are more comprehensible than the usual binary trees because attributes rarely appear more than once in any path from root to leaf. There are efficient algorithms for finding the optimal multiway split for a numeric attribute, given the number of intervals in which it is to be divided. The problem we tackle is how to choose this number in order to obtain small, accurate trees.

year: 1996-12

title: Indigenous cancer research: Reflections on roles and responsibilities

authors: Scott, Nina

abstract: When asked for a commentary on the roles and responsibilities of nonindigenous researchers in indigenous cancer research, several potential nonindigenous coauthors were contacted. The majority wanted to “run for the hills,” signifying that many researchers feel uncomfortable, out of their depth, and fearful regarding methodologies and principles for safe and effective research with and for indigenous peoples.

Most health research is relevant for indigenous peoples, and most researchers are nonindigenous. Thus, if researchers don’t engage with indigenous research principles, health research can and does result in significant harm for indigenous peoples.1,2 Nonengagement may also prevent potential positive outcomes for indigenous communities (eg, health gain, workforce and community development) and impinge on indigenous rights to health and development.3

In this commentary, we outline our reflections and observations on the roles and responsibilities of nonindigenous cancer researchers and identify some of the principles that guide researchers in Aotearoa (Aotearoa is the name given by the indigenous Māori for New Zealand). We do not attempt to provide an in-depth analysis or comprehensive best practice summary, but hope to encourage more discussion in this critical and evolving area.

text: Indigenous cancer research: Reflections on roles and responsibilities When asked for a commentary on the roles and responsibilities of nonindigenous researchers in indigenous cancer research, several potential nonindigenous coauthors were contacted. The majority wanted to “run for the hills,” signifying that many researchers feel uncomfortable, out of their depth, and fearful regarding methodologies and principles for safe and effective research with and for indigenous peoples.

Most health research is relevant for indigenous peoples, and most researchers are nonindigenous. Thus, if researchers don’t engage with indigenous research principles, health research can and does result in significant harm for indigenous peoples.1,2 Nonengagement may also prevent potential positive outcomes for indigenous communities (eg, health gain, workforce and community development) and impinge on indigenous rights to health and development.3

In this commentary, we outline our reflections and observations on the roles and responsibilities of nonindigenous cancer researchers and identify some of the principles that guide researchers in Aotearoa (Aotearoa is the name given by the indigenous Māori for New Zealand). We do not attempt to provide an in-depth analysis or comprehensive best practice summary, but hope to encourage more discussion in this critical and evolving area.

year: 2020