The Matching Method for Treatment Evaluation with Selective Participation and Ineligibles

Monica Costa Dias, Hidehiko Ichimura and Gerard van den Berg

No 3280, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The matching method for treatment evaluation does not balance selective unobserved differences between treated and non-treated. We derive a simple correction term if there is an instrument that shifts the treatment probability to zero in specific cases. Policies with eligibility restrictions, where treatment is impossible if some variable exceeds a certain value, provide a natural application. In an empirical analysis, we first examine the performance of matching versus regression-discontinuity estimation in the sharp age-discontinuity design of the NDYP job search assistance program for young unemployed in the UK. Next, we exploit the age eligibility restriction in the Swedish Youth Practice subsidized work program for young unemployed, where compliance is imperfect among the young. Adjusting the matching estimator for selectivity changes the results towards ineffectiveness of subsidized work in moving individuals into employment.

Keywords: policy evaluation; treatment effect; regression discontinuity; selection; job search assistance; propensity score; subsidized work; youth unemployment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C14 C21 C31 J64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2008-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm and nep-lab
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published - revised version published as 'Treatment Evaluation With Selective Participation and Ineligibles' in: Journal of the American Statistical Association, 108(502) 2013, 441-455

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Related works:
Working Paper: The matching method for treatment evaluation with selective participation and ineligibles (2010)
Working Paper: The matching method for treatment evaluation with selective participation and ineligibles (2008)
Working Paper: The matching method for treatment evaluation with selective participation and ineligibles (2007)
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