The potential of statistical matching for the analysis of wider benefits of learning in later life

Madlain Hoffmann; Katrin Kaufmann-Kuchta; Tanja Kutscher; Julie Merkel; Sarah Widany; Maja Wiest; Janek Willeke

doi:10.3384/rela.2000-7426.rela201910

The potential of statistical matching for the analysis of wider benefits of learning in later life

Authors

Madlain Hoffmann Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Katrin Kaufmann-Kuchta German Institute for Adult Education; Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning (DIE), Germany
Tanja Kutscher Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), Germany
Julie Merkel Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Sarah Widany German Institute for Adult Education; Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning (DIE), Germany
Maja Wiest Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Janek Willeke Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.rela201910

Keywords:

Educational activities, lifelong learning, non-monetary returns, statistical matching, well-being

Abstract

It is challenging to investigate wider benefits of adult learning, especially in later life, due to limited data on educational activities and non-monetary returns in large, longitudinal surveys. Statistical matching provides an approach to exploit the potential of existing data by combining data sources with complementary features based on shared information. The paper describes the matching of two data sources (German Ageing Survey and Study of Educational Attainment and Interests of Older People) in order to examine the effects of educational participation on well-being in later life. We emphasize the matching procedure and how to identify the best-matched dataset. Based on matched data, effects of educational activities on life satisfaction are examined in later life. The discussion focuses on future demands on data and methods for investigating wider benefits of adult learning in quantitative research.

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Published

2019-10-09

How to Cite

Hoffmann, M., Kaufmann-Kuchta, K., Kutscher, T., Merkel, J., Widany, S., Wiest, M., & Willeke, J. (2019). The potential of statistical matching for the analysis of wider benefits of learning in later life. European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 10(3), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.rela201910

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Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2019): Active ageing, social inclusion and wellbeing

Section

Thematic Paper

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