Comparing interest group scores across time and chambers: Adjusted ADA scores for the US congress

Interest group ratings are widely used in studies of legislative behavior. Since the set of votes used is not constant over time and across chambers, the scales underlying the scores can shift and stretch. We introduce an eco nometric model that corrects the problem. Specifically, we derive an index, much like an inflation index for consumer prices, that allows one to make intertemporal and interchamber comparisons of interest group ratings. The a djusted scores for the ADA show a strong liberal trend in the average membe r of Congress during 1947-94, followed by a conservative reversal. A nonpar ametric test using ADA and ACU scores demonstrates the validity of adjusted scores and the invalidity of nominal scores for intertemporal and intercha mber comparisons. Using two studies (Levitt 1996; Shipan and Lowry 1997) we illustrate that the choice of adjusted versus nominal scores may greatly a ffect substantive conclusions of researchers.