Causal inference for complex data: randomization inference for treatment effect heterogeneity, network outcomes, and subgroup specific effects

This dissertation presents three new methodologies for analyzing randomized controlled trials using the researcher controlled randomization mechanism as the basis for inference. The first method extends inference for the ``attributable effect'', the total of the difference of outcomes if the treatment group had instead been assigned to the control condition, to count and continuous data using a fast approximation algorithm. Alternative approaches are limited to binary data, require asymptotic approximations, or are computationally expensive. A refinement of the method to allow for including additional information is also included. The second method extends randomization inference to the study of network formation. Previous approaches either required strong parametric assumptions or only allowed for pre-treatment networks to be used. This approach develops several test statistics that can be used to test against common network formation models, based purely on the randomization of treatment. The final method improves inference in cluster randomized trials, where collections of individuals are assigned to treatment conditions simultaneously. Under the appealing assumption that larger clusters will have larger outcomes, on average, the method provides efficient, unbiased estimation of average treatment effects requiring minimal additional assumptions. All three of these methods demonstrate the relevance of randomized controlled trials to key areas of science and statistical development as well as the advantages of carefully crafting study design to fit the problem of interest. Data examples include a large scale field experiment involving health insurance, a gene-wide association study involving high dimensional outcomes, and a policy relevant study of parental social capital and student achievement in schools.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Statistics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Fredrickson, Mark M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chen, Yuguo
• Bowers, Jake
• Liang, Feng
• Hansen, Ben B.

• Randomized controlled trials, networks, treatment effects, subgroups, inference

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Mark M. Fredrickson

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101713

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101713