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Estimation of Models with Variable Coefficients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2017

Abstract

The ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator gives biased coefficient estimates if coefficients are not constant for all cases but vary systematically with the explanatory variables. This article discusses several different ways to estimate models with systematically and randomly varying coefficients using estimated generalized least squares and maximum likelihood procedures. A Monte Carlo simulation of the different methods is presented to illustrate their use and to contrast their results to the biased results obtained with ordinary least squares. Several applications of the methods are discussed and one is presented in detail. The conclusion is that, in situations with variables coefficients, these methods offer relatively easy means for overcoming the problems.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © by the University of Michigan 1992 

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