Journal Article

Estimating features of a distribution from binomial data

Authors

Arthur Lewbel, Oliver Linton, Daniel McFadden

Published Date

1 June 2011

Type

Journal Article

We propose estimators of features of the distribution of an unobserved random variableW. What is observed is a sample of Y,V,X where a binary Y equals one when Wexceeds a threshold V determined by experimental design, and X are covariates. Potential applications include bioassay and destructive duration analysis. Our empirical application is referendum contingent valuation in resource economics, where one is interested in features of the distribution of values W (willingness to pay) placed by consumers on a public good such as endangered species. Sample consumers with characteristics X are asked whether they favor (with Y=1 if yes and zero otherwise) a referendum that would provide the good at a cost V specified by experimental design. This paper provides estimators for quantiles and conditional on X moments of W under both nonparametric and semiparametric specifications.


Previous version

Estimating features of a distribution from binomial data
Arthur Lewbel, Oliver Linton, Daniel McFadden
CWP07/01