The Challenge of Controlling for SES in Social Science and Education Research

Author: Jeynes W.H.

Source: Educational Psychology Review, Volume 14, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 205-221(17)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This article addresses the difficulties of controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) in social science and educational studies. The article reviews the history behind controlling for SES and points out the shortcomings of the research approaches of the past. I then assert that there still remain a number of weaknesses in the ways that are presently and commonly used for controlling for SES. I argue that the field of the natural sciences is well ahead of the social sciences in addressing some of the difficulties in measuring the effects of SES. Among the issues that natural scientists are investigating include the notion of “reciprocal causality” and SES as a “catch all” variable, as well as examining the factors that affect SES. The article examines a number of methods that researchers are introducing to examine the effects of SES in more sophisticated ways. These methods include considering variables that influence SES, taking measures of SES at different points in time, examining intervening variables that act between SES and the variables under study, and other approaches.

Keywords: academic achievement; education; research design; socioeconomic status

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Education, California State University at Long Beach, California

Publication date: 2002-06-01