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Controlling for Latent Confounding with Triple Proxies

Ben Deaner

arXiv 28 Apr 2022 · Econometrics

arXiv:2204.13815 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

We present new results for nonparametric identification of causal effects using noisy proxies for unobserved confounders. Our approach builds on the results of \citet{Hu2008} who tackle the problem of general measurement error. We call this the `triple proxy' approach because it requires three proxies that are jointly independent conditional on unobservables. We consider three different choices for the third proxy: it may be an outcome, a vector of treatments, or a collection of auxiliary variables. We compare to an alternative identification strategy introduced by \citet{Miao2018a} in which causal effects are identified using two conditionally independent proxies. We refer to this as the `double proxy' approach. The triple proxy approach identifies objects that are not identified by the double proxy approach, including some that capture the variation in average treatment effects between strata of the unobservables. Moreover, the conditional independence assumptions in the double and triple proxy approaches are non-nested.

Citation extraction

14
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36
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14
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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
1Deaner, Ben (2021) Proxy Controls and Panel Data self1.00054100%
2Hu, Yingyao, & Schennach, Susanne M (2008) Instrumental Variable Treatment of Nonclassical Measurement Error Models0.93511682%
3Freyberger, Joachim (2021) Normalizations and misspecification in skill formation models0.87452100%
4Miao, Wang, Geng, Zhi, & Tchetgen, Eric J. Tchetgen (2018) Identifying causal effects with proxy variables of an unmeasured confounder0.73732100%
5Pearl, Judea (2009) Causality: Models, Reasoning, and Inference (Second Edition)0.64422100%
6Rokkanen, Miikka AT (2015) Exam schools, ability, and the effects of affirmative action: Latent factor extrapolation in the regression discontinuity design0.64422100%
7Ai, Chunrong, & Chen, Xiaohong (2003) Efficient estimation of models with conditional moment restrictions containing unknown functions0.40511100%
8Cunha, Flavio, Heckman, James, & Schennach, Susanne (2010) Estimating the Technology of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skill Formation0.40511100%
9Fruehwirth, Jane Cooley, Navarro, Salvador, & Takahashi, Yuya (2016) How the Timing of Grade Retention Affects Outcomes: Identification and Estimation of Time-Varying Treatment Effects0.40511100%
10Griliches, Zvi, & Mason, William M (1972) Education, Income, and Ability0.40511100%

Showing the top 10 of 14 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
1Proxy Controls and Panel Data0.51121
2Estimating Treatment Effects in Panel Data Without Parallel Trends0.40511