Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Amelia Blamey
Author-X-Name-First: Amelia 
Author-X-Name-Last: Blamey
Author-Email: amelia.blamey@motu.org.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Author-Name: Arthur Grimes
Author-X-Name-First: Arthur 
Author-X-Name-Last: Grimes
Author-Email: arthur.grimes@motu.org.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Title: Optimal mapping of differing life satisfaction scales
Abstract: We present a distributional matching approach to harmonise life satisfaction scores collected on different scales. We apply the method to two concurrent official New Zealand surveys, one with an 11-point scale and one with a 5-point scale. The optimal mapping from the 11-point to the 5-point scale, which minimises the residuals, is: 0-2 (1), 3-4 (2), 5-6 (3), 7-8 (4), and 9-10 (5). This mapping holds for most subsample populations, with exceptions observed among more marginalised groups. 
Length: 11 pages
Creation-Date: 2025-04
File-URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/25_02.pdf
Number: 25_02
Classification-JEL: I31 
Keywords: Life satisfaction scales; mapping; ordinal data 
Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:25_02