Abstract
The decision-theoretic approach to statistics and econometrics explicitly specifies a set of models under consideration, a set of actions that can be taken, and a loss function that quantifies the value to the decision-maker of applying a particular action when a particular model holds. Decision rules, or procedures, map data into actions, and can be ordered according to their Bayes, minmax, or minmax regret risks. Large sample approximations can be used to approximate complicated decision problems with simpler ones that are easier to solve. Some examples of applications of decision theory in econometrics are discussed.
Keywords
- Admissibility criterion
- Auction models
- Bayes risk
- Bayes rule
- Computational methods
- Decision rules
- Decision theory in econometrics
- Instrumental variables
- Local asymptotic normality (LAN)
- Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
- Maximum likelihood
- Minmax principle
- Minmax-regret principle
- Nonparametric density estimation
- Nonparametric models
- Nonparametric regression
- Point estimators
- Portfolio choice
- Savage, L. J.
- Search models
- Semiparametric models
- Statistical decision theory
- Time series models
- Treatment assignment
- White noise
JEL Classifications
This chapter was originally published in The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, 2nd edition, 2008. Edited by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume
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Hirano, K. (2008). Decision Theory in Econometrics. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_2297-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_2297-1
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