Recent Developments in the Econometrics of Program Evaluation

94 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2008

See all articles by Guido W. Imbens

Guido W. Imbens

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Jeffrey M. Wooldridge

Michigan State University - Department of Economics

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Abstract

Many empirical questions in economics and other social sciences depend on causal effects of programs or policies. In the last two decades much research has been done on the econometric and statistical analysis of the effects of such programs or treatments. This recent theoretical literature has built on, and combined features of, earlier work in both the statistics and econometrics literatures. It has by now reached a level of maturity that makes it an important tool in many areas of empirical research in economics, including labor economics, public finance, development economics, industrial organization and other areas of empirical micro-economics. In this review we discuss some of the recent developments. We focus primarily on practical issues for empirical researchers, as well as provide a historical overview of the area and give references to more technical research.

Keywords: program evaluation, causality, unconfoundedness, Rubin Causal Model, potential outcomes, instrumental variables

JEL Classification: C14, C21, C52

Suggested Citation

Imbens, Guido W. and Wooldridge, Jeffrey M., Recent Developments in the Econometrics of Program Evaluation. IZA Discussion Paper No. 3640, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1230827 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1230827

Guido W. Imbens (Contact Author)

Stanford Graduate School of Business ( email )

655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States

Jeffrey M. Wooldridge

Michigan State University - Department of Economics ( email )

#211 Marshall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1038
United States
517+353-5972 (Phone)

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