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A framework for covariate balance using Bregman distances

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin P. Josey
  • Elizabeth Juarez‐Colunga
  • Fan Yang
  • Debashis Ghosh

Abstract

A common goal in observational research is to estimate marginal causal effects in the presence of confounding variables. One solution to this problem is to use the covariate distribution to weight the outcomes such that the data appear randomized. The propensity score is a natural quantity that arises in this setting. Propensity score weights have desirable asymptotic properties, but they often fail to adequately balance covariate data in finite samples. Empirical covariate balancing methods pose as an appealing alternative by exactly balancing the sample moments of the covariate distribution. With this objective in mind, we propose a framework for estimating balancing weights by solving a constrained convex program, where the criterion function to be optimized is a Bregman distance. We then show that the different distances in this class render identical weights to those of other covariate balancing methods. A series of numerical studies are presented to demonstrate these similarities.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin P. Josey & Elizabeth Juarez‐Colunga & Fan Yang & Debashis Ghosh, 2021. "A framework for covariate balance using Bregman distances," Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, Danish Society for Theoretical Statistics;Finnish Statistical Society;Norwegian Statistical Association;Swedish Statistical Association, vol. 48(3), pages 790-816, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scjsta:v:48:y:2021:i:3:p:790-816
    DOI: 10.1111/sjos.12457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zongwu Cai & Ying Fang & Ming Lin & Yaqian Wu, 2024. "Estimating Counterfactual Distribution Functions via Optimal Distribution Balancing with Applications," WORKING PAPERS SERIES IN THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS 202415, University of Kansas, Department of Economics.
    2. Yimin Dai & Ying Yan, 2024. "Mahalanobis balancing: A multivariate perspective on approximate covariate balancing," Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, Danish Society for Theoretical Statistics;Finnish Statistical Society;Norwegian Statistical Association;Swedish Statistical Association, vol. 51(4), pages 1450-1471, December.
    3. Zongwu Cai & Ying Fang & Ming Lin & Yaqian Wu, 2024. "Estimating Counterfactual Distribution Functions via Optimal Distribution Balancing with Applications," WORKING PAPERS SERIES IN THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS 202415, University of Kansas, Department of Economics.

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