Abstract #300182

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JSM 2003 Abstract #300182
Activity Number: 45
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2003 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
Abstract - #300182
Title: Matching Using Two Control Groups
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Stuart*+ and Donald B. Rubin
Companies: Harvard University and Harvard University
Address: Dept. of Statistics, Science Center, Cambridge, MA, 02138-2901,
Keywords: causal inference ; matching methods ; propensity scores
Abstract:

In observational studies, it is desirable to reduce bias due to covariates by obtaining treated and control groups with similar distributions of the covariates. This is often done by choosing well-matched samples of the original treated and control groups. However, sometimes the originally chosen control units cannot provide adequate matches for the treated units. In these cases, it may be desirable to obtain matched controls from two control groups. Multiple control groups have been used in the context of causal inference to test for hidden biases; however, little work has been done on their use in matching or adjustment for these biases. We provide a theoretical basis and practical guidelines for this new approach. Two examples are considered. One involves the evaluation of a schoolwide dropout prevention program where students in the original treated and control schools were significantly different from one another. The other is a design for a randomized clinical trial of a drug that may go open-label during the study period, thus invalidating the use of the original control group for long-term outcomes.

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