
doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2684278 , 10.1086/689472 , 10.25455/wgtn.20422293 , 10.5167/uzh-147244 , 10.5167/uzh-173288
handle: 2077/36036 , 10419/124966
doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2684278 , 10.1086/689472 , 10.25455/wgtn.20422293 , 10.5167/uzh-147244 , 10.5167/uzh-173288
handle: 2077/36036 , 10419/124966
This paper estimates peer effects in a university context where students are randomly assigned to sections. While students benefit from better peers on average, low-achieving students are harmed by high-achieving peers. Analyzing students’ course evaluations suggests that peer effects are driven by improved group interaction rather than adjustments in teachers’ behavior or students’ effort. Building on Angrist’s research, we further show that classical measurement error in a setting where group assignment is systematic can lead to a substantial overestimation of peer effects. However, when group assignment is random—like in our setting—peer effect estimates are biased toward zero.
1410 Industrial Relations, peer effects, ddc:330, I24, J24, 2002 Economics and Econometrics, estimation bias, 330 Economics, Measurement error, 10007 Department of Economics, Peer effects, higher education, Higher education, Estimation bias, I21, measurement error, Applied economics not elsewhere classified, 10190 Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development
1410 Industrial Relations, peer effects, ddc:330, I24, J24, 2002 Economics and Econometrics, estimation bias, 330 Economics, Measurement error, 10007 Department of Economics, Peer effects, higher education, Higher education, Estimation bias, I21, measurement error, Applied economics not elsewhere classified, 10190 Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development
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