Abstract #301339

This is the preliminary program for the 2003 Joint Statistical Meetings in San Francisco, California. Currently included in this program is the "technical" program, schedule of invited, topic contributed, regular contributed and poster sessions; Continuing Education courses (August 2-5, 2003); and Committee and Business Meetings. This on-line program will be updated frequently to reflect the most current revisions.

To View the Program:
You may choose to view all activities of the program or just parts of it at any one time. All activities are arranged by date and time.

The views expressed here are those of the individual authors
and not necessarily those of the ASA or its board, officers, or staff.

Back to main JSM 2003 Program page
JSM 2003 Abstract #301339
Activity Number: 45
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2003 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
Abstract - #301339
Title: A More Flexible Approach to Treatment Effect Estimation
Author(s): Jennifer L. Hill*+ and Robert E. McCulloch
Companies: Columbia School of Social Work and University of Chicago
Address: 420 W. 118th St., New York, NY, 10027,
Keywords: observational studies ; causal effects ; propensity scores ; flexible estimation
Abstract:

Propensity score approaches to treatment effect estimation in the context of an observational study are becoming more popular because,when possible, they can create comparison groups that are similar to each other in terms of observed characteristics (thus mimicking the "look" of a randomized experiment). However traditional propensity score estimation relies on logistic or probit regression, or sometimes linear discrimination which implicitly "equates" several observations that fall along a line in covariate space. More flexible estimation strategies such as CART, though, define proximity using neighborhoods in covariate space that have more intuitive appeal. Proper use of such strategies in this context is a bit more complicated than its standard usage; however, it should lead to more robust classification schemes for estimating treatment effects.

  • The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
  • Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2003 program

JSM 2003 For information, contact meetings@amstat.org or phone (703) 684-1221. If you have questions about the Continuing Education program, please contact the Education Department.
Revised March 2003