We propose a new variational approximation of the joint posterior distribution of the log-volatility in the context of large Bayesian VARs. In contrast to existing approaches that are based on local approximations, the new proposal provides a global approximation that takes into account the...

We propose a new variational approximation of the joint posterior distribution of the log-volatility in the context of large Bayesian VARs. In contrast to existing approaches that are based on local approximations, the new proposal provides a global approximation that takes into account the...

This paper revisits the issue of estimating the returns to schooling within a framework that allows multiple unobserved skills with potentially time-varying prices where both skills and prices are possibly correlated with schooling. A common approach to addressing the problem of ability bias...