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Testing for separability in structural equations

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  • Lu, Xun
  • White, Halbert

Abstract

Separability is an important feature of structural equations, as it implies the absence of unobservable heterogeneity of effects and has significant implications for identification and efficiency of estimation. This paper provides a nonparametric test for separability in structural equations. The test is based on a conditional independence test recently developed by Huang et al. (2013), building on consistent procedures of Bierens (1982, 1990) and Stinchcombe and White (1998). The test is easy to implement and achieves n local power. We apply our test to study interest rate elasticities of loan demand in microfinance and the impact of education on wages.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Xun & White, Halbert, 2014. "Testing for separability in structural equations," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 182(1), pages 14-26.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:182:y:2014:i:1:p:14-26
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2014.04.005
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    4. Babii, Andrii & Florens, Jean-Pierre, 2017. "Are unobservables separable?," TSE Working Papers 17-802, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
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    6. Lu, Xun & White, Habert, 2015. "Testing For Treatment Dependence Of Effects Of A Continuous Treatment," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 31(5), pages 1016-1053, October.
    7. Jiun-Hua Su, 2019. "Counterfactual Inference in Duration Models with Random Censoring," Papers 1902.08502, arXiv.org.
    8. Lewbel, Arthur & Lu, Xun & Su, Liangjun, 2015. "Specification testing for transformation models with an application to generalized accelerated failure-time models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 184(1), pages 81-96.
    9. Liangjun Su & Yundong Tu & Aman Ullah, 2015. "Testing Additive Separability of Error Term in Nonparametric Structural Models," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(6-10), pages 1057-1088, December.
    10. Khalil, Umair & Yıldız, Neşe, 2022. "A test of the selection on observables assumption using a discontinuously distributed covariate," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 226(2), pages 423-450.
    11. Li, Hongjun & Li, Qi & Liu, Ruixuan, 2016. "Consistent model specification tests based on k-nearest-neighbor estimation method," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 194(1), pages 187-202.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nonparametric test; Specification test; Separability; Heterogeneity; Conditional exogeneity; Treatment effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models

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