Matching Methods in Practice: Three Examples

Guido Imbens

No 8049, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: There is a large theoretical literature on methods for estimating causal effects under unconfoundedness, exogeneity, or selection-on-observables type assumptions using matching or propensity score methods. Much of this literature is highly technical and has not made inroads into empirical practice where many researchers continue to use simple methods such as ordinary least squares regression even in settings where those methods do not have attractive properties. In this paper I discuss some of the lessons for practice from the theoretical literature, and provide detailed recommendations on what to do. I illustrate the recommendations with three detailed applications.

Keywords: potential outcomes; unconfoundedness; causality; propensity score methods; matching methods; selection on observables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C01 C14 C21 C52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 67 pages
Date: 2014-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm, nep-ger and nep-lma
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (62)

Published - published in: Journal of Human Resources, 2015, 50 (2), 373 - 419

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Journal Article: Matching Methods in Practice: Three Examples (2015)
Working Paper: Matching Methods in Practice: Three Examples (2014)
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