To read this content please select one of the options below:

Propensity score analysis: an alternative statistical approach for HRD researchers

Greggory L. Keiffer (University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, USA)
Forrest C. Lane (Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA)

European Journal of Training and Development

ISSN: 2046-9012

Article publication date: 6 September 2016

327

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce matching in propensity score analysis (PSA) as an alternative statistical approach for researchers looking to make causal inferences using intact groups.

Design/methodology/approach

An illustrative example demonstrated the varying results of analysis of variance, analysis of covariance and PSA on a heuristic data set. The three approaches were compared by results and violations of statistical assumptions.

Findings

Through the illustrative example, it is demonstrated how different statistical approaches can produce varied results. Only PSA mitigated pre-existing group differences without violating the assumption of independence.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to answer calls in the literature for more robust statistical methodologies to better inform human resource development practice and theory.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Citation

Keiffer, G.L. and Lane, F.C. (2016), "Propensity score analysis: an alternative statistical approach for HRD researchers", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 40 No. 8/9, pp. 660-675. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-06-2015-0046

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles