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Using Model Selection Algorthims to Obtain Reliable Coefficient Estimates

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This review surveys a number of common Model Selection Algorithms (MSAs), discusses how they relate to each other, and identifies factors that explain their relative performances. At the heart of MSA performance is the trade-off between Type I and Type II errors. Some relevant variables will be mistakenly excluded, and some irrelevant variables will be retained by chance. A successful MSA will find the optimal trade-off between the two types of errors for a given data environment. Whether a given MSA will be successful in a given environment depends on the relative costs of these two types of errors. We use Monte Carlo experimentation to illustrate these issues. We confirm that no MSA does best in all circumstances. Even the worst MSA in terms of overall performance – the strategy of including all candidate variables – sometimes performs best (viz., when all candidate variables are relevant). We also show how (i) the ratio of relevant to total candidate variables and (ii) DGP noise affect relative MSA performance. Finally, we discuss a number of issues complicating the task of MSAs in producing reliable coefficient estimates.

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  • Jennifer Castle & Xiaochuan Qin & W. Robert Reed, 2011. "Using Model Selection Algorthims to Obtain Reliable Coefficient Estimates," Working Papers in Economics 11/03, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:cbt:econwp:11/03
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    1. Durevall, Dick & Loening, Josef L. & Ayalew Birru, Yohannes, 2013. "Inflation dynamics and food prices in Ethiopia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 89-106.
    2. W. Robert Reed, 2018. "A Primer on the ‘Reproducibility Crisis’ and Ways to Fix It," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 51(2), pages 286-300, June.
    3. Ragnar Nymoen & Kari Pedersen & Jon Ivar Sjåberg, 2019. "Estimation of Effects of Recent Macroprudential Policies in a Sample of Advanced Open Economies," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-20, May.
    4. Hendry, David F., 2018. "Deciding between alternative approaches in macroeconomics," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 119-135.
    5. Nymoen, Ragnar & Pedersen, Kari & Sjåberg, Jon Ivar, 2018. "Estimation of effects of recent macroprudential policies in a sample of advanced open economies," Memorandum 5/2018, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    6. Cunha, Ronan & Pereira, Pedro L. Valls, 2015. "Automatic model selection for forecasting Brazilian stock returns," Textos para discussão 398, FGV EESP - Escola de Economia de São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil).
    7. Kevin S. Nell, 2018. "Conditional Divergence in the Post-1989 Globalisation Period," CEF.UP Working Papers 1806, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    8. Ericsson Neil R., 2016. "Testing for and estimating structural breaks and other nonlinearities in a dynamic monetary sector," Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics, De Gruyter, vol. 20(4), pages 377-398, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Model selection algorithms; Information Criteria; General-to-Specific modeling; Bayesian Model Averaging; Portfolio Models; AIC; SIC; AICc; SICc; Monte Carlo Analysis; Autometrics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General

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