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Optimal Linear Instrumental Variables Approximations

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  • Juan Carlos Escanciano
  • Wei Li

Abstract

This paper studies the identification and estimation of the optimal linear approximation of a structural regression function. The parameter in the linear approximation is called the Optimal Linear Instrumental Variables Approximation (OLIVA). This paper shows that a necessary condition for standard inference on the OLIVA is also sufficient for the existence of an IV estimand in a linear model. The instrument in the IV estimand is unknown and may not be identified. A Two-Step IV (TSIV) estimator based on Tikhonov regularization is proposed, which can be implemented by standard regression routines. We establish the asymptotic normality of the TSIV estimator assuming neither completeness nor identification of the instrument. As an important application of our analysis, we robustify the classical Hausman test for exogeneity against misspecification of the linear structural model. We also discuss extensions to weighted least squares criteria. Monte Carlo simulations suggest an excellent finite sample performance for the proposed inferences. Finally, in an empirical application estimating the elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS) with US data, we obtain TSIV estimates that are much larger than their standard IV counterparts, with our robust Hausman test failing to reject the null hypothesis of exogeneity of real interest rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Carlos Escanciano & Wei Li, 2018. "Optimal Linear Instrumental Variables Approximations," Papers 1805.03275, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2020.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1805.03275
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Victor Chernozhukov & Juan Carlos Escanciano & Hidehiko Ichimura & Whitney K. Newey & James M. Robins, 2022. "Locally Robust Semiparametric Estimation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 90(4), pages 1501-1535, July.
    2. Andrew Bennett & Nathan Kallus & Xiaojie Mao & Whitney Newey & Vasilis Syrgkanis & Masatoshi Uehara, 2022. "Inference on Strongly Identified Functionals of Weakly Identified Functions," Papers 2208.08291, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2023.
    3. Jiafeng Chen & Daniel L. Chen & Greg Lewis, 2020. "Mostly Harmless Machine Learning: Learning Optimal Instruments in Linear IV Models," Papers 2011.06158, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2021.
    4. Escanciano, Juan Carlos, 2023. "Irregular identification of structural models with nonparametric unobserved heterogeneity," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 234(1), pages 106-127.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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