Endogeneity (econometrics)

In econometrics, endogeneity broadly refers to situations in which an explanatory variable is correlated with the error term.^[1] The distinction between endogenous and exogenous variables originated in simultaneous equations models, where one separates variable whose values are determined by the model from variables which are predetermined;^[2]^[3] ignoring simultaneity in the estimation leads to biased estimates as it violates the exogeneity assumption of the Gauss–Markov theorem. The problem of endogeneity, is, unfortunately, oftentimes ignored by researchers conducting non-experimental research and doing so precludes making policy recommendations^[4]. Instrumental variable techniques are commonly used to address this problem.

Besides simultaneity, correlation between explanatory variables and the error term can arise when an unobserved or omitted variable is confounding both independent and dependent variables, or when dependent variables are measured with error.^[5]

Exogeneity versus endogeneity

In a stochastic model, the notion of the usual exogeneity, sequential exogeneity, strong/strict exogeneity can be defined. Exogeneity is articulated in such a way that a variable or variables is exogenous for parameter $\alpha$ . Even if a variable is exogenous for parameter $\alpha$ , it might be endogenous for parameter $\beta$ .

When the explanatory variables are not stochastic, then they are strong exogenous for all the parameters.

If the independent variable is correlated with the error term in a regression model then the estimate of the regression coefficient in an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is biased; however if the correlation is not contemporaneous, then the coefficient estimate may still be consistent. There are many methods of correcting the bias, including instrumental variable regression and Heckman selection correction.

Static models

The following are some common sources of endogeneity.

Omitted variable

In this case, the endogeneity comes from an uncontrolled confounding variable. A variable is correlated with both an independent variable in the model, and with the error term. (Equivalently, the omitted variable both affects the independent variable and separately affects the dependent variable.) Assume that the "true" model to be estimated is,

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta x_{i}+\gamma z_{i}+u_{i}

but we omit $z_{i}$ (perhaps because we don't have a measure for it) when we run our regression. $z_{i}$ will get absorbed by the error term and we will actually estimate,

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta x_{i}+\varepsilon _{i}

(where

\varepsilon _{i}=\gamma z_{i}+u_{i}

)

If the correlation of $x$ and $z$ is not 0 and $z$ separately affects $y$ (meaning $\gamma \neq 0$ ), then $x$ is correlated with the error term $\varepsilon$ .

Here, x and 1 are not exogenous for α and β, since, given x and 1, the distribution of y depends not only on α and β, but also on z and gamma.

Measurement error

Suppose that we do not get a perfect measure of one of our independent variables. Imagine that instead of observing $x_{{i}}^{{*}}$ we observe $x_{i}=x_{{i}}^{{*}}+\nu _{i}$ where $\nu _{i}$ is the measurement "noise". In this case, a model given by

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta x_{{i}}^{{*}}+\varepsilon _{i}

is written in terms of observables and error terms as

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta (x_{i}-\nu _{i})+\varepsilon _{i}

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta x_{i}+(\varepsilon _{i}-\beta \nu _{i})

y_{i}=\alpha +\beta x_{i}+u_{i}

(where

u_{i}=\varepsilon _{i}-\beta \nu _{i}

)

Since both $x_{i}$ and $u_{i}$ depend on $\nu _{i}$ , they are correlated, so the OLS estimation of $\beta$ will be biased downward. Measurement error in the dependent variable, however, does not cause endogeneity (though it does increase the variance of the error term).

Simultaneity

Suppose that two variables are codetermined, with each affecting the other. Suppose that there are two "structural" equations,

y_{i}=\beta _{1}x_{i}+\gamma _{1}z_{i}+u_{i}

z_{i}=\beta _{2}x_{i}+\gamma _{2}y_{i}+v_{i}

Estimating either equation by itself results in endogeneity. In the case of the first structural equation, $E(z_{i}u_{i})\neq 0$ . Solving for $z_{i}$ we get (assuming that $1-\gamma _{1}\gamma _{2}\neq 0$ ),

z_{i}={\frac {\beta _{2}+\gamma _{2}\beta _{1}}{1-\gamma _{1}\gamma _{2}}}x_{i}+{\frac {1}{1-\gamma _{1}\gamma _{2}}}v_{i}+{\frac {\gamma _{2}}{1-\gamma _{1}\gamma _{2}}}u_{i}

Assuming that $x_{i}$ and $v_{i}$ are uncorrelated with $u_{i}$ , we have that,

E(z_{i}u_{i})={\frac {\gamma _{2}}{1-\gamma _{1}\gamma _{2}}}E(u_{i}u_{i})\neq 0

Therefore, attempts at estimating either structural equation will be hampered by endogeneity.

Dynamic models

The endogeneity problem is particularly relevant in the context of time series analysis of causal processes. It is common for some factors within a causal system to be dependent for their value in period t on the values of other factors in the causal system in period t − 1. Suppose that the level of pest infestation is independent of all other factors within a given period, but is influenced by the level of rainfall and fertilizer in the preceding period. In this instance it would be correct to say that infestation is exogenous within the period, but endogenous over time.

Let the model be y = f(x, z) + u. If the variable x is sequential exogenous for parameter $\alpha$ , and y does not cause x in Granger sense, then the variable x is strong/strict exogenous for the parameter $\alpha$ .

Simultaneity

Generally speaking, simultaneity occurs in the dynamic model just like in the example of static simultaneity above.

References

↑ Wooldridge, Jeffrey M. (2009). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach (Fourth ed.). Australia: South-Western. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-324-66054-8.
↑ For example, in a simple supply and demand model, when predicting the quantity demanded in equilibrium, the price is endogenous because producers change their price in response to demand and consumers change their demand in response to price. In this case, the price variable is said to have total endogeneity once the demand and supply curves are known. In contrast, a change in consumer tastes or preferences would be an exogenous change on the demand curve.
↑ Kmenta, Jan (1986). Elements of Econometrics (Second ed.). New York: MacMillan. pp. 652–53. ISBN 0-02-365070-2.
↑ Antonakis, John; Bendahan, Samuel; Jacquart, Philippe; Lalive, Rafael (December 2010). "On making causal claims: A review and recommendations". The Leadership Quarterly. 21 (6): 1086–1120. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2010.10.010. ISSN 1048-9843.
↑ Johnston, John (1972). Econometric Methods (Second ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 267–291. ISBN 0-07-032679-7.

External links

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[1] Wooldridge, Jeffrey M. (2009). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach (Fourth ed.). Australia: South-Western. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-324-66054-8.

[2] For example, in a simple supply and demand model, when predicting the quantity demanded in equilibrium, the price is endogenous because producers change their price in response to demand and consumers change their demand in response to price. In this case, the price variable is said to have total endogeneity once the demand and supply curves are known. In contrast, a change in consumer tastes or preferences would be an exogenous change on the demand curve.

[3] Kmenta, Jan (1986). Elements of Econometrics (Second ed.). New York: MacMillan. pp. 652–53. ISBN 0-02-365070-2.

[4] Antonakis, John; Bendahan, Samuel; Jacquart, Philippe; Lalive, Rafael (December 2010). "On making causal claims: A review and recommendations". The Leadership Quarterly. 21 (6): 1086–1120. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2010.10.010. ISSN 1048-9843.

[5] Johnston, John (1972). Econometric Methods (Second ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 267–291. ISBN 0-07-032679-7.

Endogeneity (econometrics)

Exogeneity versus endogeneity

Static models

Omitted variable

Measurement error

Simultaneity

Dynamic models

Simultaneity

See also

References

Further reading

External links