Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP2363
Authors: Jan C. van Ours; Geert Ridder
Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the failure and completion rates of graduate students in economics at three universities in The Netherlands. We find that an indicator of the research productivity of the supervisor is an important determinant of the completion and dropout rates. However, this effect seems due to the fact that supervisors with a good research record attract and select better students. There is no evidence of an independent effect of having a supervisor who is an active researcher.
Keywords: duration analysis; education; graduate program
JEL Codes: C41; I21
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Supervisor research productivity (A14) | Graduate student completion (Y40) |
| Supervisor research productivity (A14) | Graduate student dropout rates (Y40) |
| Supervisor research productivity (A14) | Selection of capable students (D29) |
| Selection of capable students (D29) | Graduate student completion (Y40) |
| Selection of capable students (D29) | Graduate student dropout rates (Y40) |
| Supervisor research productivity (A14) | Unexplained variation in graduate student completion and dropout rates (I21) |