The Econometric SocietyEdited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262
Econometrica: Apr, 1961, Volume 29, Issue 2
https://doi.org/0012-9682(196104)29:2<171:TGOID>2.0.CO;2-Y
p. 171-185
Peter R. Fisk
A variety of functional forms have been suggested, in the past, as suitable for describing distributions of income. Some have been derived from models "explaining" the generation of an income distribution, while others are claimed only to fit observations reasonably well. One which has not been widely considered is the sech square distribution. This distribution has certain useful characteristics, such as simple Lorenz measures of inequality and a simple method of graphical analysis, which make it a useful tool in examining and comparing distributions of income. The differential equation from which the sech square distribution is derived can be varied to allow a wide range of different distribution forms to be fitted. A similarity exists between this distribution function and the Pareto and Champernowne distribution functions. Some of the characteristics of the latter distribution are discussed in the paper.
March 5, 2024
The terms of the Editors of the Econometric Society's three journals end June 30, 2025. We are pleased to announce the incoming Editors and to thank the outgoing Editors for their excellent and continuing service.
Econometrica: Since 2019, Guido Imbens has served as the 14th Editor of Econometrica. On July 1, 2025, Marina Halac will become the Editor.
Quantitative Economics: Stéphane Bonhomme has been the Editor of Quantitative Economics since 2021. His successor will be Bernard Salanié.
Theoretical Economics: The Editor of Theoretical Economics since 2021 has been Simon Board. Taking over for him in July 2025 will be Federico Echenique.
Guido, Stéphane, and Simon have been outstanding Editors. We are grateful to them for the work they have done and will continue to do, and we look forward to further congratulating them next year. We believe Marina, Bernard, and Federico will be outstanding successors and we thank them in advance for their service.
Finally, we are grateful to Larry Samuelson for chairing all three search committees, and we thank the search committee members for their hard and fruitful work:
Econometrica: Christian Dustmann, Lars Hansen, Alessandro Lizzeri, George Mailath, Ariel Pakes, Helene Rey, and Elie Tamer.
QE: Kate Ho, Michael Keane, Felix Kubler, Whitney Newey, and Frank Schorfheide.
TE: Jeff Ely, Johannes Horner, Gilat Levy, Meg Meyer, and Ran Spiegler.
