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Optimal Categorical Instrumental Variables

Thomas Wiemann

arXiv 28 Nov 2023 · Econometrics · 2 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:2311.17021 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

This paper discusses estimation with a categorical instrumental variable in settings with potentially few observations per category. The proposed categorical instrumental variable estimator (CIV) leverages a regularization assumption that implies existence of a latent categorical variable with fixed finite support achieving the same first stage fit as the observed instrument. In asymptotic regimes that allow the number of observations per category to grow at arbitrary small polynomial rate with the sample size, I show that when the cardinality of the support of the optimal instrument is known, CIV is root-n asymptotically normal, achieves the same asymptotic variance as the oracle IV estimator that presumes knowledge of the optimal instrument, and is semiparametrically efficient under homoskedasticity. Under-specifying the number of support points reduces efficiency but maintains asymptotic normality. In an application that leverages judge fixed effects as instruments, CIV compares favorably to commonly used jackknife-based instrumental variable estimators.

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51
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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
1Chyn, E., Frandsen, B., and Leslie, E. C (2024) Examiner and judge designs in economics: A practitioner's guide1.000114100%
2Dobbie, W., Goldin, J., and Yang, C. S (2018) The effects of pre-trial detention on conviction, future crime, and employment: Evidence from randomly assigned judges1.00073100%
3Kolesár, M (2013) Estimation in an instrumental variables model with treatment effect heterogeneity0.93511682%
4Belloni, A., Chen, D., Chernozhukov, V., and Hansen, C (2012) Sparse models and methods for optimal instruments with an application to eminent domain0.91613677%
5Angrist, J. D. and Frandsen, B (2022) Machine labor0.8947571%
6Angrist, J. D., Imbens, G. W., and Krueger, A. B (1999) Jackknife instrumental variables estimation0.8947471%
7Donald, S. G. and Newey, W. K (2001) Choosing the number of instruments0.8746367%
8Blandhol, C., Bonney, J., Mogstad, M., and Torgovitsky, A (2022) When is TSLS actually LATE?0.8434475%
9Bonhomme, S. and Manresa, E (2015) Grouped patterns of heterogeneity in panel data0.81711455%
10Chao, J. C., Swanson, N. R., Hausman, J. A., Newey, W. K., and Woute… (2012) Asymptotic distribution of JIVE in a heteroskedastic iv regression with many instruments0.81142100%

Showing the top 10 of 51 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
1A Locally Robust Semiparametric Approach to Examiner IV Designs0.51121
2Online appendix to “Latent group structure in linear panel data models with endogenous regressors”0.40511
3An Introduction to Double/Debiased Machine Learning0.40511
4Identification and Debiased Learning of Causal Effects with General Instrumental Variables0.40511