Falsification Testing of Instrumental Variables Methods for Comparative Effectiveness Research
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Applying an eMASS Customization Program as a Research Tool to Evaluate Consumer Benefits
Published on: September 27, 2019
1150 South Huntington Avenue (Mail Stop 152H), Boston, MA, 02130.
Objectives:
To demonstrate how falsification tests can be used to evaluate instrumental variables methods applicable to a wide variety of comparative effectiveness research questions.
Study Design:
Brief conceptual review of instrumental variables and falsification testing principles and techniques accompanied by an empirical application. Sample STATA code related to the empirical application is provided in the Appendix.
Empirical Application:
Comparative long-term risks of sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones for management of type 2 diabetes. Outcomes include mortality and hospitalization for an ambulatory care-sensitive condition. Prescribing pattern variations are used as instrumental variables.
Conclusions:
Falsification testing is an easily computed and powerful way to evaluate the validity of the key assumption underlying instrumental variables analysis. If falsification tests are used, instrumental variables techniques can help answer a multitude of important clinical questions.
Related Concept Videos
Friedman Two-way Analysis of Variance by Ranks
Significance Testing: Overview
Cochran's Q Test
Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Repeated Measures, Cross-Over, Carry-Over, and Latin Square Designs
What is an Experiment?
Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs

