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Bounding average treatment effects: A linear programming approach

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  • Demuynck, Thomas

Abstract

We show how to obtain bounds on the mean treatment effects by solving a simple linear programming problem. The use of a linear programme is convenient from a practical point of view because it avoids the need to derive closed form solutions. Imposing or omitting monotonicity or concavity restrictions is done by simply adding or removing sets of linear restrictions to the linear programme.

Suggested Citation

  • Demuynck, Thomas, 2015. "Bounding average treatment effects: A linear programming approach," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 75-77.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:137:y:2015:i:c:p:75-77
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2015.09.042
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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.
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    4. Guido W. Imbens & Charles F. Manski, 2004. "Confidence Intervals for Partially Identified Parameters," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 72(6), pages 1845-1857, November.
    5. Bo E. Honoré & Elie Tamer, 2006. "Bounds on Parameters in Panel Dynamic Discrete Choice Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 74(3), pages 611-629, May.
    6. Tsunao Okumura & Emiko Usui, 2014. "Concave‐monotone treatment response and monotone treatment selection: With an application to the returns to schooling," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 5, pages 175-194, March.
    7. Stefan Boes, 2010. "Convex Treatment Response and Treatment Selection," SOI - Working Papers 1001, Socioeconomic Institute - University of Zurich.
    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.
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    10. Molinari, Francesca, 2008. "Partial identification of probability distributions with misclassified data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 144(1), pages 81-117, May.
    11. Jorg Stoye, 2009. "More on Confidence Intervals for Partially Identified Parameters," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 77(4), pages 1299-1315, July.
    12. Charles F. Manski, 2007. "Partial Identification Of Counterfactual Choice Probabilities," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 48(4), pages 1393-1410, November.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lafférs, Lukáš & Mellace, Giovanni, 2020. "Identification of the average treatment effect when SUTVA is violated," Discussion Papers on Economics 3/2020, University of Southern Denmark, Department of Economics.
    2. Pietro Tebaldi & Alexander Torgovitsky & Hanbin Yang, 2023. "Nonparametric Estimates of Demand in the California Health Insurance Exchange," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(1), pages 107-146, January.
    3. Kamat, Vishal, 2019. "Identification with Latent Choice Sets," TSE Working Papers 19-1031, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    4. Alexander Torgovitsky, 2019. "Partial identification by extending subdistributions," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 10(1), pages 105-144, January.
    5. Hiroaki Kaido & Francesca Molinari & Jörg Stoye, 2019. "Confidence Intervals for Projections of Partially Identified Parameters," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 87(4), pages 1397-1432, July.
    6. Lafférs, Lukáš & Nedela, Roman, 2017. "Sensitivity of the bounds on the ATE in the presence of sample selection," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 84-87.
    7. Lukáš Lafférs, 2019. "Bounding average treatment effects using linear programming," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 727-767, September.
    8. Florian Gunsilius, 2019. "A path-sampling method to partially identify causal effects in instrumental variable models," Papers 1910.09502, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2020.
    9. Martin Huber & Lukáš Lafférs, 2022. "Bounds on direct and indirect effects under treatment/mediator endogeneity and outcome attrition," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(10), pages 1141-1163, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Treatment effect; Linear programming; Partial identification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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