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On the Ambiguous Consequences of Omitting Variables

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe De Luca

    (University of Palermo, Italy)

  • Jan Magnus

    (VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

  • Franco Peracchi

    (University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy)

Abstract

This paper studies what happens when we move from a short regression to a long regression (or vice versa), when the long regression is shorter than the data-generation process. In the special case where the long regression equals the data-generation process, the least-squares estimators have smaller bias (in fact zero bias) but larger variances in the long regression than in the short regression. But if the long regression is also misspecified, the bias may not be smaller. We provide bias and mean squared error comparisons and study the dependence of the differences on the misspecification parameter.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe De Luca & Jan Magnus & Franco Peracchi, 2015. "On the Ambiguous Consequences of Omitting Variables," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 15-061/III, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20150061
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hausman, Jerry, 2015. "Specification tests in econometrics," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 38(2), pages 112-134.
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    4. Jan R. Magnus & Giuseppe De Luca, 2016. "Weighted-Average Least Squares (Wals): A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 117-148, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Omitted variables; Misspecification; Least-squares estimators; Bias; Mean squared error;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection

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