TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Knaus, Michael C.
        TI  - Double Machine Learning Based Program Evaluation under Unconfoundedness
        PY  - 2020/Mar/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 13051
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp13051
        AB  - This paper consolidates recent methodological developments based on Double Machine Learning (DML) with a focus on program evaluation under unconfoundedness. DML based methods leverage flexible prediction methods to control for confounding in the estimation of (i) standard average effects, (ii) different forms of heterogeneous effects, and (iii) optimal treatment assignment rules. We emphasize that these estimators build all on the same doubly robust score, which allows to utilize computational synergies. An evaluation of multiple programs of the Swiss Active Labor Market Policy shows how DML based methods enable a comprehensive policy analysis. However, we find evidence that estimates of individualized heterogeneous effects can become unstable.
        KW  - causal machine learning
KW  - individualized treatment rules
KW  - conditional average treatment effects
KW  - optimal policy learning
KW  - multiple treatments
        ER  -