🚀 go-pugleaf

RetroBBS NetNews Server

Inspired by RockSolid Light RIP Retro Guy

2 total messages Started by Priyabroto Wed, 16 Dec 1992 01:30
A Simple Question about Instrumental Variables
#744
Author: Priyabroto
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 01:30
18 lines
763 bytes
Hi,

I had a small question:

Let Y = Xb + u   (in matrix notation)

such that Cov(X,u) is not equal to zero.

Now, we use Z as an instrumental variable where:

Cov(X,Z) is not equal to zero but,
Cov(Z,u) is equal to zero.

Then, WHY is it that b hat(instr. var) = (Z'X)inverse * Z'y?

As we know b hat = (X'X)inverse * X'y.

Would really appreciate any help.
Re: A Simple Question about Instrumental Variables
#747
Author: T. Scott Thompson
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 17:22
41 lines
2161 bytes
bubai@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Priyabroto) writes:

>Hi,

>I had a small question:

>Let Y = Xb + u   (in matrix notation)

>such that Cov(X,u) is not equal to zero.

>Now, we use Z as an instrumental variable where:

>Cov(X,Z) is not equal to zero but,
>Cov(Z,u) is equal to zero.

>Then, WHY is it that b hat(instr. var) = (Z'X)inverse * Z'y?

I don't understand the question.  This is the _definition_ of the IV
estimator (assuming that Z and X have the same dimensions).  The
statistical motivation for the estimator comes from the fact that

Inverse(Z'X)*Z'y = b + Inverse(Z'X/n)*(Z'u/n)

and the last term converges to zero in large samples due to the law of
large numbers and the assumption that E(Z'u) = 0.

>As we know b hat = (X'X)inverse * X'y.

This is the definition of the least squares estimator, which is not
the same as the IV estimator, and which does not converge to b in
large samples when X and u are correlated.

Perhaps you are asking how to show that the IV estimator and the least
squares estimator are the same thing.  This cannot be done in general.
The least squares estimator can be thought of as a special case of the
IV estimator obtained by setting Z = X.

--
T. Scott Thompson              email:  thompson@atlas.socsci.umn.edu
Department of Economics        phone:  (612) 625-0119
University of Minnesota        fax:    (612) 624-0209
Thread Navigation

This is a paginated view of messages in the thread with full content displayed inline.

Messages are displayed in chronological order, with the original post highlighted in green.

Use pagination controls to navigate through all messages in large threads.

Back to All Threads