Machine Learning for Experiments in the Social Sciences

This Element provides theoretical and practical introductions to machine learning for social scientists in applying it to experimental data.

Jon Green (Author), Mark H. White, II (Author)

9781009168229, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 April 2023

75 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.4 cm, 0.133 kg

Causal inference and machine learning are typically introduced in the social sciences separately as theoretically distinct methodological traditions. However, applications of machine learning in causal inference are increasingly prevalent. This Element provides theoretical and practical introductions to machine learning for social scientists interested in applying such methods to experimental data. We show how machine learning can be useful for conducting robust causal inference and provide a theoretical foundation researchers can use to understand and apply new methods in this rapidly developing field. We then demonstrate two specific methods – the prediction rule ensemble and the causal random forest – for characterizing treatment effect heterogeneity in survey experiments and testing the extent to which such heterogeneity is robust to out-of-sample prediction. We conclude by discussing limitations and tradeoffs of such methods, while directing readers to additional related methods available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN).

1. Introduction
2. Causal Inference
3. Exploratory and Reproducible Research
4. Machine Learning Basics
5. Bringing it Together
6. Prediction Rule Ensembles
7. Causal Random Forest
8. Conclusion
References.

Subject Areas: Constitution: government & the state [JPHC]