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On the Specification of Propensity Scores: with an Application to the WTO-Environment Debate

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Author Info
Daniel Millimet () (Southern Methodist University)
Rusty Tchernis () (Indiana University Bloomington)

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Abstract

The use of propensity score methods for program evaluation with non-experimental data typically requires the propensity score be estimated, often with a model whose specification is unknown. While theoretical results suggest that estimators utilizing more flexible propensity score specifications perform better, this has not filtered into applied research. Here, we provide Monte Carlo evidence indicating the benefits of over-specifying the propensity score when using weighting estimators, as well as using normalized weights. We illustrate these results with an application assessing the environmental effects of GATT/WTO membership. We find that membership has a mixed impact, and that under-fitting the propensity score yields misleading inference in several cases.

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File URL: http://www.iub.edu/~caepr/RePEc/PDF/2006/CAEPR2006-013.pdf
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Center for Applied Economics and Policy Research, Economics Department, Indiana University Bloomington in its series Caepr Working Papers with number 2006-013.

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Length: 28 pages
Date of creation: Sep 2006
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Handle: RePEc:inu:caeprp:2006013

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Related research
Keywords: Treatment Effects Propensity score Specification WTO Environment

Find related papers by JEL classification:
C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation and Testing
F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment

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