Machine Learning Estimation of Heterogeneous Causal Effects: Empirical Monte Carlo Evidence

Item Type Journal paper
Abstract We investigate the finite sample performance of causal machine learning estimators for heterogeneous causal effects at different aggregation levels. We employ an Empirical Monte Carlo Study that relies on arguably realistic data generation processes (DGPs) based on actual data. We consider 24 different DGPs, eleven different causal machine learning estimators, and three aggregation levels of the estimated effects. In the main DGPs, we allow for selection into treatment based on a rich set of observable covariates. We provide evidence that the estimators can be categorized into three groups. The first group performs consistently well across all DGPs and aggregation levels. These estimators have multiple steps to account for the selection into the treatment and the outcome process. The second group shows competitive performance only for particular DGPs. The third group is clearly outperformed by the other estimators.
Authors Knaus, Michael; Lechner, Michael & Strittmatter, Anthony
Journal or Publication Title Econometrics Journal
Language English
Subjects economics
HSG Classification contribution to scientific community
Refereed Yes
Date 2020
Publisher Royal Economic Society
ISSN-Digital 1368-423X
Publisher DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ectj/utaa014
Depositing User Prof. Ph.D Anthony Strittmatter
Date Deposited 01 May 2020 08:02
Last Modified 20 Mar 2023 01:25
URI: https://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/publications/260169

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Knaus, Michael; Lechner, Michael & Strittmatter, Anthony (2020) Machine Learning Estimation of Heterogeneous Causal Effects: Empirical Monte Carlo Evidence. Econometrics Journal,

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https://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/id/eprint/260169
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