Credible Numbers: A Procedure for Reporting Statistical Precision in Parameter Estimates

Nicolas Astier and Frank Wolak
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Frank Wolak: Stanford University

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Abstract: Econometric software packages typically report a fixed number of decimal digits for coefficient estimates and their associated standard errors. This practice misses the opportunity to use rounding rules that convey statistical precision. Using insights from the testing statistical hypotheses of equivalence literature, we propose a methodology that only reports decimal digits in a parameter estimate that reject a hypothesis of statistical equivalence. Applying this methodology to all articles published in the American Economic Review between 2000 and 2022, we find that over 60% of the printed digits in coefficient estimates do not convey statistically meaningful information according to our definition of a significant digit. If one additional digit beyond the last significant digit is reported for each coefficient estimate, then approximately one-third of the printed digits in our sample would not be reported.

Date: 2024
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Working Paper: Credible Numbers: A Procedure for Reporting Statistical Precision in Parameter Estimates (2024)
Working Paper: Credible Numbers: A Procedure for Reporting Statistical Precision in Parameter Estimates (2024)
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