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Variable selection and estimation in high-dimensional models

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  • Joel L. Horowitz

Abstract

Models with high-dimensional covariates arise frequently in economics and other fields. Often, only a few covariates have important effects on the dependent variable. When this happens, the model is said to be sparse. In applications, however, it is not known which covariates are important and which are not. This paper reviews methods for discriminating between important and unimportant covariates with particular attention given to methods that discriminate correctly with probability approaching 1 as the sample size increases. Methods are available for a wide variety of linear, nonlinear, semiparametric and nonparametric models. The performance of some of these methods in finite samples is illustrated through Monte Carlo simulations and an empirical example.

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  • Joel L. Horowitz, 2015. "Variable selection and estimation in high-dimensional models," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 48(2), pages 389-407, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:48:y:2015:i:2:p:389-407
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12130
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    Cited by:

    1. Horowitz, Joel L. & Nesheim, Lars, 2021. "Using penalized likelihood to select parameters in a random coefficients multinomial logit model," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 222(1), pages 44-55.
    2. Michael C. Knaus & Michael Lechner & Anthony Strittmatter, 2022. "Heterogeneous Employment Effects of Job Search Programs: A Machine Learning Approach," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(2), pages 597-636.
    3. Adriano Zanin Zambom & Gregory J. Matthews, 2021. "Sure independence screening in the presence of missing data," Statistical Papers, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 817-845, April.
    4. Joel L. Horowitz & Lars Nesheim, 2018. "Using penalized likelihood to select parameters in a random coefficients multinomial logit model," CeMMAP working papers CWP29/18, Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice, Institute for Fiscal Studies.

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    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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