Structural Equations, Treatment Effects and Econometric Policy Evaluation

James J. Heckman and Edward Vytlacil

No 306, NBER Technical Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper uses the marginal treatment effect (MTE) to unify the nonparametric literature on treatment effects with the econometric literature on structural estimation using a nonparametric analog of a policy invariant parameter; to generate a variety of treatment effects from a common semiparametric functional form; to organize the literature on alternative estimators; and to explore what policy questions commonly used estimators in the treatment effect literature answer. A fundamental asymmetry intrinsic to the method of instrumental variables is noted. Recent advances in IV estimation allow for heterogeneity in responses but not in choices, and the method breaks down when both choice and response equations are heterogeneous in a general way.

JEL-codes: C1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm and nep-ltv
Note: TWP
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (718)

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Journal Article: Structural Equations, Treatment Effects, and Econometric Policy Evaluation (2005)
Working Paper: Structural Equations, Treatment Effects and Econometric Policy Evaluation (2005)
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