Download This PaperProxy Variables and Nonparametric Identification of Causal Effects
10 Pages Posted: 18 Jul 2016
Abstract
Proxy variables are often used in linear regression models with the aim of removing potential confounding bias. In this paper we formalise proxy variables within the potential outcome framework, giving conditions under which it can be shown that causal effects are nonparametrically identified. We characterise two types of proxy variables and give concrete examples where the proxy conditions introduced may hold by design.
Keywords: average treatment effect, observational studies, potential outcomes, unobserved confounders
JEL Classification: C14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
de Luna, Xavier and Fowler, Philip and Johansson, Per, Proxy Variables and Nonparametric Identification of Causal Effects. IZA Discussion Paper No. 10057, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2810468 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2810468
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