Data Selection and Environmental Kuznets Curve Models - Environmental Kuznets Curve Models, Data Choice, Data Sources, Missing Data, Balanced and Unbalanced Panels

The literature of environmental Kuznets curve has seen numerous evidences of EKCs for various pollutants across a wide array of contexts. While carrying out these exercises, a number of practical issues are being faced by the researchers. Although Stern (2004) has identified some of those issues, they still remained uncovered. In this study, we have put forth the issues on (a) model selection, (b) model validation, (c) data standardization, (d) variable selection and creation, and (e) proxy for environmental degradation. While discussing these issues in brief, we have also provided basic solutions to these problems. These solutions are demonstrated both logically and empirically, while analyzing the exact data used by the authors in their published studies.