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Causal clustering: design of cluster experiments under network interference

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Viviano
  • Lihua Lei
  • Guido Imbens
  • Brian Karrer
  • Okke Schrijvers
  • Liang Shi

Abstract

This paper studies the design of cluster experiments to estimate the global treatment effect in the presence of network spillovers. We provide a framework to choose the clustering that minimizes the worst-case mean-squared error of the estimated global effect. We show that optimal clustering solves a novel penalized min-cut optimization problem computed via off-the-shelf semi-definite programming algorithms. Our analysis also characterizes simple conditions to choose between any two cluster designs, including choosing between a cluster or individual-level randomization. We illustrate the method's properties using unique network data from the universe of Facebook's users and existing data from a field experiment.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Viviano & Lihua Lei & Guido Imbens & Brian Karrer & Okke Schrijvers & Liang Shi, 2023. "Causal clustering: design of cluster experiments under network interference," Papers 2310.14983, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2024.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2310.14983
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eckles Dean & Karrer Brian & Ugander Johan, 2017. "Design and Analysis of Experiments in Networks: Reducing Bias from Interference," Journal of Causal Inference, De Gruyter, vol. 5(1), pages 1-23, March.
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    17. Michael P. Leung, 2022. "Causal Inference Under Approximate Neighborhood Interference," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 90(1), pages 267-293, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuehao Bai & Azeem M. Shaikh & Max Tabord-Meehan, 2024. "A Primer on the Analysis of Randomized Experiments and a Survey of some Recent Advances," Papers 2405.03910, arXiv.org.
    2. Luofeng Liao & Christian Kroer & Sergei Leonenkov & Okke Schrijvers & Liang Shi & Nicolas Stier-Moses & Congshan Zhang, 2024. "Interference Among First-Price Pacing Equilibria: A Bias and Variance Analysis," Papers 2402.07322, arXiv.org.
    3. Jinglong Zhao, 2024. "Experimental Design For Causal Inference Through An Optimization Lens," Papers 2408.09607, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2024.

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