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Direct and Indirect Causal Effects via Potential Outcomes

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Author Info
Donald B. Rubin
Abstract

The use of the concept of 'direct' versus 'indirect' causal effects is common, not only in statistics but also in many areas of social and economic sciences. The related terms of 'biomarkers' and 'surrogates' are common in pharmacological and biomedical sciences. Sometimes this concept is represented by graphical displays of various kinds. The view here is that there is a great deal of imprecise discussion surrounding this topic and, moreover, that the most straightforward way to clarify the situation is by using potential outcomes to define causal effects. In particular, I suggest that the use of principal stratification is key to understanding the meaning of direct and indirect causal effects. A current study of anthrax vaccine will be used to illustrate ideas. Copyright 2004 Board of the Foundation of the Scandinavian Journal of Statistics..

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File URL: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9469.2004.02-123.x
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Article provided by Danish Society for Theoretical Statistics, Finnish Statistical Society, Norwegian Statistical Association and Swedish Statistical Association in its journal Scandinavian Journal of Statistics.

Volume (Year): 31 (2004)
Issue (Month): 2 ()
Pages: 161-170
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Handle: RePEc:bla:scjsta:v:31:y:2004:i:2:p:161-170

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  1. Michael Lechner & Ruth Miquel, 2005. "Identification of the Effects of Dynamic Treatments by Sequential Conditional Independence Assumptions," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2005 2005-17, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen. [Downloadable!]
  2. Flores, Carlos A. & Flores-Lagunes, Alfonso, 2009. "Identification and Estimation of Causal Mechanisms and Net Effects of a Treatment under Unconfoundedness," IZA Discussion Papers 4237, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
  3. Karim Chalak & Halbert White, 2008. "Independence and Conditional Independence in Causal Systems," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 689, Boston College Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  4. Michael Lechner, 2005. "A Note on Endogenous Control Variables in Evaluation Studies," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2005 2005-16, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen. [Downloadable!]
  5. Carlos A. Flores & Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, . "Identification and Estimation of Casual Mechanisms and Net Effects of a Treatment," Working Papers 0706, University of Miami, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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