Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Modeling Alcohol Consumption in Rodents Using Two-Bottle Choice Home Cage Drinking and Microstructural Analysis
Published on: November 8, 2024
That instrument is lousy! In search of agreement when using instrumental variables estimation in substance use
Michael T French1, Ioana Popovici
1Health Economics Research Group, Department of Sociology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA. mfrench@miami.edu
Abstract:
The primary statistical challenge that must be addressed when using cross-sectional data to estimate the consequences of consuming addictive substances is the likely endogeneity of substance use. While economists are in agreement on the need to consider potential endogeneity bias and the value of instrumental variables estimation, the selection of credible instruments is a topic of heated debate in the field. Rather than attempt to resolve this debate, our paper highlights the diversity of judgments about what constitutes appropriate instruments for substance use based on a comprehensive review of the economics literature since 1990. We then offer recommendations related to the selection of reliable instruments in future studies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Group Design
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Individual and Population Analysis
Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence
H0: The two variables (factors)...
Introduction to Test of Independence
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:
Drug Dependence

