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Identification Problems in the Social Sciences and Everyday Life

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  • Charles F. Manski

Abstract

Econometricians have found it useful to separate the problem of empirical inference into statistical and identification components. Studies of identification determine the conclusions that could be drawn if a researcher were able to observe a data sample of unlimited size. Statistical inference seeks to characterize how sampling variability affects the conclusions that can be drawn from samples of limited size. This Association Lecture to the Southern Economic Association describes the broad themes of a research program on identification that I began in the late 1980s and continue today. I show how these themes have played out in my analysis of the selection problem, a fundamental and pervasive identification problem. I examine how the selection problem manifests itself in the econometric analysis of market demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles F. Manski, 2003. "Identification Problems in the Social Sciences and Everyday Life," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 70(1), pages 11-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:70:y:2003:i:1:p:11-21
    DOI: 10.1002/j.2325-8012.2003.tb00553.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manski, Charles F, 1990. "Nonparametric Bounds on Treatment Effects," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(2), pages 319-323, May.
    2. Charles F. Manski, 1997. "Monotone Treatment Response," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 65(6), pages 1311-1334, November.
    3. Charles F. Manski & Elie Tamer, 2002. "Inference on Regressions with Interval Data on a Regressor or Outcome," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(2), pages 519-546, March.
    4. Sims,Christopher A. (ed.), 1994. "Advances in Econometrics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521444606.
    5. Horowitz, Joel L & Manski, Charles F, 1995. "Identification and Robustness with Contaminated and Corrupted Data," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 63(2), pages 281-302, March.
    6. Manski, Charles F., 2000. "Identification problems and decisions under ambiguity: Empirical analysis of treatment response and normative analysis of treatment choice," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 95(2), pages 415-442, April.
    7. Horowitz, Joel L. & Manski, Charles F., 1998. "Censoring of outcomes and regressors due to survey nonresponse: Identification and estimation using weights and imputations," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 84(1), pages 37-58, May.
    8. Charles F. Manski & John V. Pepper, 2000. "Monotone Instrumental Variables, with an Application to the Returns to Schooling," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 68(4), pages 997-1012, July.
    9. Sims,Christopher A. (ed.), 1994. "Advances in Econometrics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521444590.
    10. Daniel Ellsberg, 1961. "Risk, Ambiguity, and the Savage Axioms," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 75(4), pages 643-669.
    11. Charles F. Manski, 1989. "Anatomy of the Selection Problem," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 24(3), pages 343-360.
    12. Charles F. Manski, 1993. "Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(3), pages 531-542.
    13. V. Joseph Hotz & Charles H. Mullin & Seth G. Sanders, 1997. "Bounding Causal Effects Using Data from a Contaminated Natural Experiment: Analysing the Effects of Teenage Childbearing," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 64(4), pages 575-603.
    14. Philip A. Haile & Elie Tamer, 2003. "Inference with an Incomplete Model of English Auctions," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 111(1), pages 1-51, February.
    15. Philip J. Cross & Charles F. Manski, 2002. "Regressions, Short and Long," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(1), pages 357-368, January.
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    4. Montmartin, Benjamin & Herrera-Gómez, Marcos, 2023. "Spatial dependence in physicians’ prices and additional fees: Evidence from France," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

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