A Stata Package for the Application of Semiparametric Estimators of Dose–Response Functions. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bia, Michela; Flores, Carlos A.; Flores-Lagunes, Alfonso; Mattei, Alessandra
• Is Part Of: Stata journal. Volume 14:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 580
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: st0352 -- drf -- dose–response function -- generalized propensity score -- kernel estimator -- penalized spline estimator -- weak unconfoundedness; Statistics -- Periodicals; Statistics -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; 001.422
• DOI: 10.1177/1536867X1401400307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-867X

Abstract

In many observational studies, the treatment may not be binary or categorical but rather continuous, so the focus is on estimating a continuous dose– response function. In this article, we propose a set of programs that semiparametrically estimate the dose–response function of a continuous treatment under the unconfoundedness assumption. We focus on kernel methods and penalized spline models and use generalized propensity-score methods under continuous treatment regimes for covariate adjustment. Our programs use generalized linear models to estimate the generalized propensity score, allowing users to choose between alternative parametric assumptions. They also allow users to impose a common support condition and evaluate the balance of the covariates using various approaches. We illustrate our routines by estimating the effect of the prize amount on subsequent labor earnings for Massachusetts lottery winners, using data collected by Imbens, Rubin, and Sacerdote (2001, American Economic Review, 778–794).