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Matching With Multiple Control Groups With Adjustment for Group Differences

Author

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  • Elizabeth A. Stuart
  • Donald B. Rubin

Abstract

When estimating causal effects from observational data, it is desirable to approximate a randomized experiment as closely as possible. This goal can often be achieved by choosing a subsample from the original control group that matches the treatment group on the distribution of the observed covariates. However, sometimes the original control group cannot provide adequate matches for the treatment group. This article presents a method to obtain matches from multiple control groups. In addition to adjusting for differences in observed covariates between the groups, the method adjusts for a group effect that distinguishes between the control groups. This group effect captures the additional otherwise unobserved differences between the control groups, beyond that accounted for by the observed covariates. The method is illustrated and evaluated using data from an evaluation of a school drop-out prevention program that uses matches from both local and nonlocal control groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. Stuart & Donald B. Rubin, 2008. "Matching With Multiple Control Groups With Adjustment for Group Differences," Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, , vol. 33(3), pages 279-306, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jedbes:v:33:y:2008:i:3:p:279-306
    DOI: 10.3102/1076998607306078
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    Cited by:

    1. Gecaj, Merita & Shahu, Edmira Ozuni & Imami, Drini & Skreli, Engjell & Jambor, Attila, 2018. "Analysing the impact of subsidies in the Albanian agriculture sector – A comparative approach," 162nd Seminar, April 26-27, 2018, Budapest, Hungary 271964, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. Samuel D. Pimentel & Dylan S. Small & Paul R. Rosenbaum, 2016. "Constructed Second Control Groups and Attenuation of Unmeasured Biases," Journal of the American Statistical Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 111(515), pages 1157-1167, July.
    3. Shira Mitchell & Andrew Gelman & Rebecca Ross & Joyce Chen & Sehrish Bari & Uyen Kim Huynh & Matthew W. Harris & Sonia Ehrlich Sachs & Elizabeth A. Stuart & Avi Feller & Susanna Makela & Alan M. Zasla, "undated". "The Millennium Villages Project: A Retrospective, Observational, Endline Evaluation," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 8376cf28448b40f69543be760, Mathematica Policy Research.

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