arXiv subjects

Sid Kankanala

Publications and source records attributed to Sid Kankanala.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Compound decisions and empirical Bayes via Bayesian nonparametrics

We study compound decision theory from a nonparametric Bayesian perspective, with particular emphasis on their relationship to empirical Bayes (EB) procedures. Motivated by the sharp risk guarantees available for EB procedures based on the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE), we investigate whether analogous guarantees can be established for fully Bayesian decision rules. In a class of Gaussian compound decision problems, we show that the fully Bayesian posterior mean achieves near-optimal risk. Moreover, it is admissible as a genuine Bayes rule, whereas the corresponding NPMLE plug-in rule is inadmissible. Simulations illustrate the performance of nonparametric Bayes procedures relative to common alternatives. As an application, we apply our methodology to Census tract-level estimates of economic mobility from the Opportunity Atlas.

math.ST↗

arXiv2026

Empirical Likelihood with Generative AI

Moment conditions are widely used to identify parameters in models where the full likelihood is either unknown or intentionally left unspecified. Empirical likelihood methods address this problem by assigning probability weights to the observed data so that the sample moment conditions hold exactly. Building on this idea, we propose a nonparametric Bayesian framework based on exponentially tilted empirical likelihood. This Bayesian formulation is particularly appealing in settings where prior information is more naturally specified on the observables rather than on the underlying parameters. Such settings arise in the presence of auxiliary data sources or synthetic data generated by modern generative AI models.Inference proceeds by projecting posterior draws from a Dirichlet process onto the moment-restricted model, yielding a computationally efficient procedure that is naturally amenable to parallelization. We establish new Bernstein--von Mises and consistency theorems for the resulting projection posterior under both vanishing-prior and persistent-prior regimes. In an application to return prediction using overnight news headlines, we show that AI-generated auxiliary data can provide a useful source of indirect regularization when informative priors on the parameter itself are unavailable.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2025

Generalized Bayes in Conditional Moment Restriction Models

This paper develops a generalized (quasi-) Bayes framework for conditional moment restriction models, where the parameter of interest is a nonparametric structural function of endogenous variables. We establish contraction rates for a class of Gaussian process priors and provide conditions under which a Bernstein-von Mises theorem holds for the quasi-Bayes posterior. Consequently, we show that optimally weighted quasi-Bayes credible sets achieve exact asymptotic frequentist coverage, extending classical results for parametric GMM models. As an application, we estimate firm-level production functions using Chilean plant-level data. Simulations illustrate the favorable performance of generalized Bayes estimators relative to common alternatives.

econ.EM↗

arXiv2025

Quasi-Bayes in Latent Variable Models

Latent variable models are widely used to account for unobserved determinants of economic behavior. This paper introduces a quasi-Bayes approach to nonparametrically estimate a large class of latent variable models. As an application, we model U.S. individual log earnings from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) as the sum of latent permanent and transitory components. Simulations illustrate the favorable performance of quasi-Bayes estimators relative to common alternatives.

econ.EM↗

arXiv2024

Adaptive Estimation and Uniform Confidence Bands for Nonparametric Structural Functions and Elasticities

We introduce two data-driven procedures for optimal estimation and inference in nonparametric models using instrumental variables. The first is a data-driven choice of sieve dimension for a popular class of sieve two-stage least squares estimators. When implemented with this choice, estimators of both the structural function $h_0$ and its derivatives (such as elasticities) converge at the fastest possible (i.e., minimax) rates in sup-norm. The second is for constructing uniform confidence bands (UCBs) for $h_0$ and its derivatives. Our UCBs guarantee coverage over a generic class of data-generating processes and contract at the minimax rate, possibly up to a logarithmic factor. As such, our UCBs are asymptotically more efficient than UCBs based on the usual approach of undersmoothing. As an application, we estimate the elasticity of the intensive margin of firm exports in a monopolistic competition model of international trade. Simulations illustrate the good performance of our procedures in empirically calibrated designs. Our results provide evidence against common parameterizations of the distribution of unobserved firm heterogeneity.

econ.EM↗

arXiv2023

On Gaussian Process Priors in Conditional Moment Restriction Models

This paper studies quasi Bayesian estimation and uncertainty quantification for an unknown function that is identified by a nonparametric conditional moment restriction. We derive contraction rates for a class of Gaussian process priors. Furthermore, we provide conditions under which a Bernstein von Mises theorem holds for the quasi-posterior distribution. As a consequence, we show that optimally weighted quasi-Bayes credible sets have exact asymptotic frequentist coverage.

econ.EM↗

arXiv2023

Kernel-weighted specification testing under general distributions

Kernel-weighted test statistics have been widely used in a variety of settings including non-stationary regression, inference on propensity score and panel data models. We develop the limit theory for a kernel-based specification test of a parametric conditional mean when the law of the regressors may not be absolutely continuous to the Lebesgue measure and is contaminated with singular components. This result is of independent interest and may be useful in other applications that utilize kernel smoothed U-statistics. Simulations illustrate the non-trivial impact of the distribution of the conditioning variables on the power properties of the test statistic.

econ.EM↗