Finite-sample properties of limited-iinformation estimators in misspecified simultaneous equation models

Abstract

The two most common limited-information estimators in Simultaneous Equation Models are the two-stage least squares and limited-information maximum likelihood estimators. As both of these estimators are complicated functions of the underlying random variables, their exact distributions are difficult to derive. Consequently, their use was first justified on the basis of large sample criteria, such as consistency and asymptotic efficiency. However, in the early 1960s the analysis of the exact distributions and moments of these estimators began, and since this time substantial progress has been made. Although these estimators are asymptotically equivalent, recent research has shown that their finite-sample properties are substantially different. However, the majority of this research has simply concentrated on a correctly specified system of equations, even though, since typically in applied studies theory provides some guidance but falls short of specifying the precise form of structural relationship, the possibilities for misspecification in simultaneous equation models are numerous. The objective of this paper is to extend the finite-sample analysis of these two estimators to include various cases of misspecification.

Keywords:

• Two stage least squares
• limited-information maximum likelihood
• simultaneous equation models
• misspecification
• asymptotic properties
• finite-sample distributions