Nonparametric methods for inference in the presence of instrumental variables

Date

2006-03-06

Authors

Hall, Peter
Horowitz, Joel L.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute of Mathematical Statistics

Abstract

We suggest two nonparametric approaches, based on kernel methods and orthogonal series to estimating regression functions in the presence of instrumental variables. For the first time in this class of problems, we derive optimal convergence rates, and show that they are attained by particular estimators. In the presence of instrumental variables the relation that identifies the regression function also defines an ill-posed inverse problem, the ``difficulty'' of which depends on eigenvalues of a certain integral operator which is determined by the joint density of endogenous and instrumental variables. We delineate the role played by problem difficulty in determining both the optimal convergence rate and the appropriate choice of smoothing parameter.

Description

Keywords

nonparametric regression, kernel methods, inference, instrumental variables, bandwidth, convergence rate, linear operator, smoothing, optimality

Citation

Source

Annals of Statistics 2005, Vol. 33, No. 6, 2904-2929

Type

Journal article

Book Title

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