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Nonparametric estimation and inference under shape restrictions

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  • Horowitz, Joel L.
  • Lee, Sokbae

Abstract

Economic theory often provides shape restrictions on functions of interest in applications, such as monotonicity, convexity, non-increasing (non-decreasing) returns to scale, or the Slutsky inequality of consumer theory; but economic theory does not provide finite-dimensional parametric models. This motivates nonparametric estimation under shape restrictions. Nonparametric estimates are often very noisy. Shape restrictions stabilize nonparametric estimates without imposing arbitrary restrictions, such as additivity or a single-index structure, that may be inconsistent with economic theory and the data. This paper explains how to estimate and obtain an asymptotic uniform confidence band for a conditional mean function under possibly nonlinear shape restrictions, such as the Slutsky inequality. The results of Monte Carlo experiments illustrate the finite-sample performance of the method, and an empirical example illustrates its use in an application.

Suggested Citation

  • Horowitz, Joel L. & Lee, Sokbae, 2017. "Nonparametric estimation and inference under shape restrictions," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 201(1), pages 108-126.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:201:y:2017:i:1:p:108-126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2017.06.019
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zheng Fang & Juwon Seo, 2021. "A Projection Framework for Testing Shape Restrictions That Form Convex Cones," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 89(5), pages 2439-2458, September.
    2. Yu Zhu, 2020. "Inference in nonparametric/semiparametric moment equality models with shape restrictions," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 11(2), pages 609-636, May.
    3. Frazier, David T. & Koo, Bonsoo, 2021. "Indirect inference for locally stationary models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 223(1), pages 1-27.
    4. David T. Frazier & Bonsoo Koo, 2020. "Indirect Inference for Locally Stationary Models," Monash Econometrics and Business Statistics Working Papers 30/20, Monash University, Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
    5. Adams-Prassl, Abigail, 2019. "Mutually Consistent Revealed Preference Demand Predictions," CEPR Discussion Papers 13580, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Koohyun Kwon & Soonwoo Kwon, 2020. "Adaptive Inference in Multivariate Nonparametric Regression Models Under Monotonicity," Papers 2011.14219, arXiv.org.
    7. Olivier Scaillet, 2016. "On ill‐posedness of nonparametric instrumental variable regression with convexity constraints," Econometrics Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 19(2), pages 232-236, June.
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    9. Freyberger, Joachim & Rai, Yoshiyasu, 2018. "Uniform confidence bands: Characterization and optimality," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 204(1), pages 119-130.
    10. Liu, Ruixuan & Yu, Zhengfei, 2022. "Sample selection models with monotone control functions," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 226(2), pages 321-342.
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    12. Botosaru, Irene, 2020. "Nonparametric analysis of a duration model with stochastic unobserved heterogeneity," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 217(1), pages 112-139.
    13. Zheng Fang & Juwon Seo, 2019. "A Projection Framework for Testing Shape Restrictions That Form Convex Cones," Papers 1910.07689, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2021.
    14. Eric Auerbach, 2019. "Identification and Estimation of a Partially Linear Regression Model using Network Data," Papers 1903.09679, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2021.
    15. Yu-Chang Chen & Haitian Xie, 2022. "Personalized Subsidy Rules," Papers 2202.13545, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2022.
    16. Harold D. Chiang & Kengo Kato & Yuya Sasaki & Takuya Ura, 2021. "Linear programming approach to nonparametric inference under shape restrictions: with an application to regression kink designs," Papers 2102.06586, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Conditional mean function; Constrained estimation; Monotonic; Convex; Slutsky condition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • 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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