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Two-Step Estimation and Inference with Possibly Many Included Covariates

Author

Listed:
  • Matias D Cattaneo
  • Michael Jansson
  • Xinwei Ma
Abstract
We study the implications of including many covariates in a first-step estimate entering a two-step estimation procedure. We find that a first-order bias emerges when the number of included covariates is “large” relative to the square-root of sample size, rendering standard inference procedures invalid. We show that the jackknife is able to estimate this “many covariates” bias consistently, thereby delivering a new automatic bias-corrected two-step point estimator. The jackknife also consistently estimates the standard error of the original two-step point estimator. For inference, we develop a valid post-bias-correction bootstrap approximation that accounts for the additional variability introduced by the jackknife bias-correction. We find that the jackknife bias-corrected point estimator and the bootstrap post-bias-correction inference perform excellent in simulations, offering important improvements over conventional two-step point estimators and inference procedures, which are not robust to including many covariates. We apply our results to an array of distinct treatment effect, policy evaluation, and other applied microeconomics settings. In particular, we discuss production function and marginal treatment effect estimation in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Matias D Cattaneo & Michael Jansson & Xinwei Ma, 2019. "Two-Step Estimation and Inference with Possibly Many Included Covariates," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 86(3), pages 1095-1122.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:restud:v:86:y:2019:i:3:p:1095-1122.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Many covariates asymptotics; Robust inference; Bias Correction; Resampling Methods; M-estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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