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Identifying causal channels of policy reforms with multiple treatments and different types of selection

Annabelle Doerr, Anthony Strittmatter

arXiv 11 Oct 2020 · Econometrics · publishedJournal of Econometric Methods (2020) · 4 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:2010.05221 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

We study the identification of channels of policy reforms with multiple treatments and different types of selection for each treatment. We disentangle reform effects into policy effects, selection effects, and time effects under the assumption of conditional independence, common trends, and an additional exclusion restriction on the non-treated. Furthermore, we show the identification of direct- and indirect policy effects after imposing additional sequential conditional independence assumptions on mediating variables. We illustrate the approach using the German reform of the allocation system of vocational training for unemployed persons. The reform changed the allocation of training from a mandatory system to a voluntary voucher system. Simultaneously, the selection criteria for participants changed, and the reform altered the composition of course types. We consider the course composition as a mediator of the policy reform. We show that the empirical evidence from previous studies reverses when considering the course composition. This has important implications for policy conclusions.

Citation extraction

46
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67
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appendix boundary found by appendix_titled_section at “Supplements to the empirical approach” · 77% of the source is main text. Read the extracted text to check this.

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
1Rinne, Uhlendorff, and Zhao (2013) Vouchers and Caseworkers in Training Programs for the Unemployed1.00093100%
2Graham, De Xavier Pinto, and Egel (2016) Efficient Estimation of Data Combination Models by the Method of Auxiliary-to-Study Tilting0.7374350%
3Rosenbaum and Rubin (1983) The Central Role of Propensity Score in Observational Studies for Causal Effects0.7373367%
4Imai, Keele, Tingley, and Yamamoto (2011) Unpacking the Black Box of Causality: Learning about Causal Mechanisms from Experimental and Observational Studies0.73732100%
5Baron and Kenny (1986) The Moderator-Mediator Variable Distinction in Social Psychological Research: Conceptual, Strategic, and Statistical Considerati…0.64422100%
6Lechner, Miquel, and Wunsch (2011) Long-run Effects of Public Sector Sponsored Training0.64422100%
7Pearl (2001) Direct and Indirect Effects0.64422100%
8Biewen, Fitzenberger, Osikominu, and Paul (2014) The Effectiveness of Public Sponsored Training Revisited: The Importance of Data and Methodological Choices0.51121100%
9Lechner and Wunsch (2013) Sensitivity of Matching-Based Program Evaluations to the Availability of Control Variables0.51121100%
10Abadie (2005) Semiparametric Difference-in-Differences Estimators0.40511100%

Showing the top 10 of 46 scored citations.

Cited by, within the corpus

arXiv econ.EM papers that cite this one, ranked by how heavily they lean on it.

Citing paperIntensityMentionsSections
11909.049810.40511