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The Finite Sample Performance of Treatment Effects Estimators based on the Lasso

Michael Zimmert

arXiv 14 May 2018 · Econometrics · 1 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:1805.05067 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

This paper contributes to the literature on treatment effects estimation with machine learning inspired methods by studying the performance of different estimators based on the Lasso. Building on recent work in the field of high-dimensional statistics, we use the semiparametric efficient score estimation structure to compare different estimators. Alternative weighting schemes are considered and their suitability for the incorporation of machine learning estimators is assessed using theoretical arguments and various Monte Carlo experiments. Additionally we propose an own estimator based on doubly robust Kernel matching that is argued to be more robust to nuisance parameter misspecification. In the simulation study we verify theory based intuition and find good finite sample properties of alternative weighting scheme estimators like the one we propose.

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Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Athey, Susan, Imbens, Guido W., Wager, Stefan (2018) Approximate Residual Balancing: De-Biased Inference of Average Treatment Effects in High Dimensions0.9568488%
2Belloni, Alexandre, Chernozhukov, Victor, Hansen, Christian (2014) Inference on Treatment Effects after Selection among High-Dimensional Controls0.92810580%
3Busso, Matias, DiNardo, John, McCrary, Justin (2014) New Evidence on the Finite Sample Properties of Propensity Score Reweighting and Matching Estimators0.84333100%
4Tsiatis, Anastasios A (2006) Semiparametric Theory and Missing Data0.8226283%
5Chernozhukov, Victor, Chetverikov, Denis, Demirer, Mert, Duflo, Esth… (2017) Double/Debiased Machine Learning for Treatment and Structural Parameters0.81142100%
6Abadie, Alberto, Imbens, Guido W (2006) Large Sample Properties of Matching Estimators for Average Treatment Effects0.73732100%
7Heckman, James J., Ichimura, Hidehiko, Todd, Petra (1998) Matching As An Econometric Evaluation Estimator0.73732100%
8Kennedy, Edward H (2016) Semiparametric Theory and Empirical Processes in Causal Inference0.73732100%
9Lechner, Michael, Miquel, Ruth, Wunsch, Conny (2011) Long-Run Effects of Public Sector Sponsored Training in West Germany0.73732100%
10Zubizarreta, José R (2015) Stable Weights that Balance Covariates for Estimation with Incomplete Outcome Data0.73732100%

Showing the top 10 of 55 scored citations.