Enhancing the comparability of self-rated skills-matching using anchoring vignettes

Abstract

This research is concerned with the skills-match between researchers' Ph.D. training and their subsequent university employment. Self-rated skills-matching is considered in light of the anchoring vignettes technique. This technique is used to adress comparability issues in survey research. It has been documented that individuals with more education and skills have the highest expectations for their jobs and careers; and are more easily disappointed. This is one reason why there may be comparability problems in self-rated skills matching. Only a few studies (at least one using objective data, a few more using self- reported data) have examined the issue of skills-matching. Furthermore, the results from objective data are somewhat problematic. This underscores the need to apply anchoring vignettes to self-reported data. Mismatch is associated with substantially lower earnings; with more comparable measures, wage penalties can be more accurately estimated.