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The Value Added of Machine Learning to Causal Inference: Evidence from Revisited Studies

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  • Anna Baiardi
  • Andrea A. Naghi

Abstract

A new and rapidly growing econometric literature is making advances in the problem of using machine learning methods for causal inference questions. Yet, the empirical economics literature has not started to fully exploit the strengths of these modern methods. We revisit influential empirical studies with causal machine learning methods and identify several advantages of using these techniques. We show that these advantages and their implications are empirically relevant and that the use of these methods can improve the credibility of causal analysis.

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  • Anna Baiardi & Andrea A. Naghi, 2021. "The Value Added of Machine Learning to Causal Inference: Evidence from Revisited Studies," Papers 2101.00878, arXiv.org.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2101.00878
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriel Okasa, 2022. "Meta-Learners for Estimation of Causal Effects: Finite Sample Cross-Fit Performance," Papers 2201.12692, arXiv.org.
    2. Olga Takács & János Vincze, 2023. "Where is the pain the most acute? The market segments particularly affected by gender wage discrimination in Hungary," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2304, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    3. Netta Barak‐Corren & Yoav Kan‐Tor & Nelson Tebbe, 2022. "Examining the effects of antidiscrimination laws on children in the foster care and adoption systems," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 1003-1066, December.
    4. repec:ags:aaea22:335586 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Paul Clarke & Annalivia Polselli, 2023. "Double Machine Learning for Static Panel Models with Fixed Effects," Papers 2312.08174, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2024.
    6. Olga Takács & János Vincze, 2023. "Heterogeneous wage structure effects: a partial European East-West comparison," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2305, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.

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