Instrumental variable estimation for time-fixed treatments

Learning objectives

1. Define an instrumental variable
2. Describe the standard IV estimator
3. Identify the limitations of IV estimation
4. Conduct an IV analysis using R.
   
   

Notes

The R code uses data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (NHEFS). You can download the data used for this code here.

Additional readings or resources

1. Causal Inference: What If (Chapter 16)
2. Labrecque J, Swanson SA. Understanding the assumptions underlying instrumental variable analyses: a brief review of falsification strategies and related tools. Current epidemiology reports. 2018 Sep;5(3):214-20.p
3. McClellan M, McNeil BJ, Newhouse JP. Does more intensive treatment of acute myocardial infarction in the elderly reduce mortality?: analysis using instrumental variables. Jama. 1994 Sep 21;272(11):859-66.