Sensitivity Analysis using Approximate Moment Condition Models

Timothy Armstrong and Michal Koles\'ar

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Abstract: We consider inference in models defined by approximate moment conditions. We show that near-optimal confidence intervals (CIs) can be formed by taking a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, and adding and subtracting the standard error times a critical value that takes into account the potential bias from misspecification of the moment conditions. In order to optimize performance under potential misspecification, the weighting matrix for this GMM estimator takes into account this potential bias, and therefore differs from the one that is optimal under correct specification. To formally show the near-optimality of these CIs, we develop asymptotic efficiency bounds for inference in the locally misspecified GMM setting. These bounds may be of independent interest, due to their implications for the possibility of using moment selection procedures when conducting inference in moment condition models. We apply our methods in an empirical application to automobile demand, and show that adjusting the weighting matrix can shrink the CIs by a factor of 3 or more.

Date: 2018-08, Revised 2020-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm
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Published in Quantitative Economics, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2021, pages 77-108

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http://arxiv.org/pdf/1808.07387 Latest version (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: Sensitivity Analysis using Approximate Moment Condition Models (2020)
Working Paper: Sensitivity Analysis using Approximate Moment Condition Models (2019)
Working Paper: Sensitivity Analysis using Approximate Moment Condition Models (2018)
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