Beck, Nathaniel and Katz, Jonathan N. (2004) Random Coefficient Models for Time-Series–Cross-Section Data. Social Science Working Paper, 1205. California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, CA. (Unpublished) https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20191018-164513923
![]() |
PDF (SSWP 1205 - Sep. 2004)
- Accepted Version
See Usage Policy. 431kB |
Use this Persistent URL to link to this item: https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20191018-164513923
Abstract
This paper considers random coefficient models (RCMs) for time-series–cross-section data. These models allow for unit to unit variation in the model parameters. After laying out the various models, we assess several issues in specifying RCMs. We then consider the finite sample properties of some standard RCM estimators, and show that the most common one, associated with Hsiao, has very poor properties. These analyses also show that a somewhat awkward combination of estimators based on Swamy’s work performs reasonably well; this awkward estimator and a Bayes estimator with an uninformative prior (due to Smith) seem to perform best. But we also see that estimators which assume full pooling perform well unless there is a large degree of unit to unit parameter heterogeneity. We also argue that the various data driven methods (whether classical or empirical Bayes or Bayes with gentle priors) tends to lead to much more heterogeneity than most political scientists would like. We speculate that fully Bayesian models, with a variety of informative priors, may be the best way to approach RCMs.
Item Type: | Report or Paper (Working Paper) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ORCID: |
| ||||
Additional Information: | We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Science Foundation. We are thankful to Larry Bartels for always reminding us that our judgment may outperform the data. Lastly, we thank Geoffrey Garrett for allowing us to use his data. | ||||
Group: | Social Science Working Papers | ||||
Funders: |
| ||||
Series Name: | Social Science Working Paper | ||||
Issue or Number: | 1205 | ||||
Record Number: | CaltechAUTHORS:20191018-164513923 | ||||
Persistent URL: | https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20191018-164513923 | ||||
Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. | ||||
ID Code: | 99379 | ||||
Collection: | CaltechAUTHORS | ||||
Deposited By: | Katherine Johnson | ||||
Deposited On: | 18 Oct 2019 23:54 | ||||
Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2019 23:54 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page