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Regularizing Priors for Linear Inverse Problems

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  • Florens, Jean-Pierre
  • Simoni, Anna

Abstract

This paper proposes a new Bayesian approach for estimating, nonparametrically, parameters in econometric models that are characterized as the solution of a linear inverse problem. By using a Gaussian process prior distribution we propose the posterior mean as an estimator and prove consistency, in the frequentist sense, of the posterior distribution. Consistency of the posterior distribution provides a frequentist validation of our Bayesian procedure. We show that the minimax rate of contraction of the posterior distribution can be obtained provided that either the regularity of the prior matches the regularity of the true parameter or the prior is scaled at an appropriate rate. The scaling parameter of the prior distribution plays the role of a regularization parameter. We propose a new, and easy-to-implement, data-driven method for optimally selecting in practice this regularization parameter. Moreover, we make clear that the posterior mean, in a conjugate-Gaussian setting, is equal to a Tikhonov-type estimator in a frequentist setting so that our data-driven method can be used in frequentist estimation as well. Finally, we apply our general methodology to two leading examples in econometrics: instrumental regression and functional regression estimation.

Suggested Citation

  • Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simoni, Anna, 2013. "Regularizing Priors for Linear Inverse Problems," IDEI Working Papers 767, Institut d'Économie Industrielle (IDEI), Toulouse.
  • Handle: RePEc:ide:wpaper:26987
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simoni, Anna, 2016. "Regularizing Priors For Linear Inverse Problems," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 32(1), pages 71-121, February.
    2. Chen, Xiaohong & Reiss, Markus, 2011. "On Rate Optimality For Ill-Posed Inverse Problems In Econometrics," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(3), pages 497-521, June.
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    11. Florens, Jean-Pierre & Johannes, Jan & Van Bellegem, Sebastien, 2011. "Identification and estimation by penalization in Nonparametric Instrumental Regression," LIDAM Reprints ISBA 2011046, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
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    23. Joel L. Horowitz, 2013. "Adaptive nonparametric instrumental variables estimation: empirical choice of the regularization parameter," CeMMAP working papers CWP30/13, Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    24. Eric Gautier & Yuichi Kitamura, 2013. "Nonparametric Estimation in Random Coefficients Binary Choice Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 81(2), pages 581-607, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Siddhartha Chib & Minchul Shin & Anna Simoni, 2022. "Bayesian estimation and comparison of conditional moment models," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series B, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 84(3), pages 740-764, July.
    2. Jean-Pierre Florens & Anna Simoni, 2021. "Gaussian Processes and Bayesian Moment Estimation," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(2), pages 482-492, March.
    3. Laurent Ferrara & Anna Simoni, 2023. "When are Google Data Useful to Nowcast GDP? An Approach via Preselection and Shrinkage," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(4), pages 1188-1202, October.
    4. Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simoni, Anna, 2016. "Regularizing Priors For Linear Inverse Problems," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 32(1), pages 71-121, February.
    5. Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simoni, Anna, 2012. "Nonparametric estimation of an instrumental regression: A quasi-Bayesian approach based on regularized posterior," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 170(2), pages 458-475.
    6. Jan Johannes & Anna Simoni & Rudolf Schenk, 2020. "Adaptive Bayesian Estimation in Indirect Gaussian Sequence Space Models," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 137, pages 83-116.
    7. Liao, Yuan & Jiang, Wenxin, 2011. "Posterior consistency of nonparametric conditional moment restricted models," MPRA Paper 38700, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    nonparametric estimation; Bayesian inverse problems; Gaussian processes; posterior consistency; data-driven method;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General
    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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