The Representative Agent Hypothesis: An Empirical Test

This paper empirically tests the validity of using only mean income as a representative variable for the whole population in the aggregate consumption relation and of assuming time-invariance of the coefficients in this relation, as done in macromodels. We use a statistical distributional approach of aggregation to test these properties on the UK-Family Expenditure Survey [1974-1993]. It is observed that the time-invariance assumption is rejected in most cases. A bootstrap test also suggests that in addition to mean income, the dispersion of income matters significantly for the commodity group services in several years and for clothing & footwear and total nondurable in some years, thus invalidating the representative agent hypothesis.Representative Agent Hypothesis, Time Invariance, Heterogeneity

The Representative Agent Hypothesis: An Empirical Test

This paper empirically tests the validity of using only /mean /income as a representative variable in the aggregate consumption relation and of assuming time-invariance of the coefficients in this relation, as done in macromodels. We use a statistical distributional approach of aggregation to test these properties on the UK-Family Expenditure Survey [1974-1993]. The time-invariance assumption is rejected in most cases. A bootstrap test also suggests that in addition to mean income, the /dispersion /of income matters significantly for the commodity group /services /in several years and for /total/ /nondurable/ in some years, thus invalidating the /representative agent hypothesis/.representative agent hypothesis, time invariance, heterogeneity

Juggling and joining perspectives and relationships: multicultural researchers in multilocal frames of reference

In the face of globalization, more and more researchers have multicultural and multilocal backgrounds. This creates both challenges and possibilities. When combined with conducting research in a context in which people have experienced high levels of social marginalization, the intricacy of the research process increases. Much time, care, and reflection are required to secure ethical conduct and the validity of the research, and to facilitate results that are relevant for all those involved. The transformative paradigm and postcolonial indigenous research methodologies are theoretical frameworks that can guide this process.In this article, we describe some of our experiences while developing an ethnographic dissertation project in a marginalized urban school and its direct surroundings in El Salvador. It is written from two perspectives: Christine SCHMALENBACH writes from her perspective as a German researcher who grew up in Mexico and did research in El Salvador. Mechthild KIEGELMANN writes from the perspective of a mentor who oversaw the project from Germany and was pivotal in spurring and enriching processes of reflection. We share our experiences form the research process hoping that they will be helpful for researchers and advisors in similarly complex situations.Angesichts der Globalisierung haben immer mehr Forschende multikulturelle und multilokale Hintergründe. Das bringt sowohl Herausforderungen als auch Möglichkeiten mit sich. Die Komplexität verstärkt sich, wenn zusätzlich in einem Kontext geforscht wird, der von starker sozialer Ausgrenzung gekennzeichnet ist. Hier sind Zeit, Vorsicht und Reflexion notwendig, um ethisches Handeln und Validität zu sichern und zu Ergebnissen zu kommen, die für alle Beteiligten relevant sind. Das transformative Paradigma und die Postcolonial Indigenous Research Methodologies können Leitlinien für diesen Prozess bieten. In diesem Artikel skizzieren wir einige der Erfahrungen, die wir im Rahmen eines Dissertationsprojekts während einer ethnografischen Studie an einer Brennpunktschule und in ihrem direkten Umfeld in El Salvador gemacht haben. Der Artikel wurde aus zwei Perspektiven geschrieben: Christine SCHMALENBACH schreibt aus ihrer Sicht als deutsche Wissenschaftlerin, die in Mexiko aufgewachsen ist und in El Salvador Forschung betrieben hat. Mechthild KIEGELMANN schreibt aus ihrer Sicht als Mentorin, die das Projekt von Deutschland aus begleitet hat, und und deren Anstöße und Beiträge wesentlich zur Reflexion beigetragen haben. Wir teilen unsere Erfahrungen aus dem Forschungsprozess in der Hoffnung, dass sie hilfreich für Forscher/innen und Betreuer/innen in ähnlich komplexen Situationen sind

Promoting Diverse News Consumption Through User Control Mechanisms

News recommender systems (NRSs) are an essential component of online news portals. To avoid the emergence of “filter bubbles” where users display an overly selective perception of the news situation, NRSs must not only display a diverse range of news, but also motivate users to engage with the diversified content. Many existing approaches attempt to achieve this by modifying the recommendation strategy or by applying selection control techniques such as digital nudging. Based on insights from self- determination theory, we present an alternative approach that relies on user control mechanisms to promote self-determined motivation for exploratory use and thus diverse news consumption behavior. We also outline a methodological design to empirically confirm the viability of our approach. As such, we not only contribute to the theoretical understanding of the role of user control in diverse news consumption behavior, but also provide guidance on validating the practical feasibility of our approach

Unraveling Information-Limiting Environments: An Empirical Review of Individual, Social, and Technological Filters in Social Media

Social media platforms offer a convenient way for people to interact and exchange information. However, there are sustained concerns that filter bubbles and echo chambers create information-limiting environments (ILEs) for their users. Despite a well-developed conceptual understanding, the empirical evidence regarding the causes and supporting conditions of these ILEs remains inconclusive. This paper addresses this gap by applying the triple-filter-bubble model developed by Geschke et al. (2019) to analyze empirical literature on the individual, social, and technological causes of ILEs. While we identify some factors that increase the probability of ILEs under certain conditions, our findings do not suffice to thoroughly validate conceptual models that explain why ILEs emerge. Therefore, we call for future research to investigate the causes of ILEs with higher external validity to develop a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon