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Reevaluating Causal Estimation Methods with Data from a Product Release

Author

Listed:
  • Justin Young
  • Muthoni Ngatia
  • Eleanor Wiske Dillon

Abstract

Recent developments in causal machine learning methods have made it easier to estimate flexible relationships between confounders, treatments and outcomes, making unconfoundedness assumptions in causal analysis more palatable. How successful are these approaches in recovering ground truth baselines? In this paper we analyze a new data sample including an experimental rollout of a new feature at a large technology company and a simultaneous sample of users who endogenously opted into the feature. We find that recovering ground truth causal effects is feasible -- but only with careful modeling choices. Our results build on the observational causal literature beginning with LaLonde (1986), offering best practices for more credible treatment effect estimation in modern, high-dimensional datasets.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin Young & Muthoni Ngatia & Eleanor Wiske Dillon, 2026. "Reevaluating Causal Estimation Methods with Data from a Product Release," Papers 2601.11845, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2601.11845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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