Locally Robust Semiparametric Estimation

S-Tier
Journal: Econometrica
Year: 2022
Volume: 90
Issue: 4
Pages: 1501-1535

Authors (5)

Victor Chernozhukov (not in RePEc) Juan Carlos Escanciano (Universidad Carlos III de Madr...) Hidehiko Ichimura (University of Arizona) Whitney K. Newey (not in RePEc) James M. Robins (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Many economic and causal parameters depend on nonparametric or high dimensional first steps. We give a general construction of locally robust/orthogonal moment functions for GMM, where first steps have no effect, locally, on average moment functions. Using these orthogonal moments reduces model selection and regularization bias, as is important in many applications, especially for machine learning first steps. Also, associated standard errors are robust to misspecification when there is the same number of moment functions as parameters of interest. We use these orthogonal moments and cross‐fitting to construct debiased machine learning estimators of functions of high dimensional conditional quantiles and of dynamic discrete choice parameters with high dimensional state variables. We show that additional first steps needed for the orthogonal moment functions have no effect, globally, on average orthogonal moment functions. We give a general approach to estimating those additional first steps. We characterize double robustness and give a variety of new doubly robust moment functions. We give general and simple regularity conditions for asymptotic theory.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:wly:emetrp:v:90:y:2022:i:4:p:1501-1535
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25