Limited dependent variable explained

A limited dependent variable is a variable whose range ofpossible values is "restricted in some important way."^[1] In econometrics, the term is often used whenestimation of the relationship between the limited dependent variableof interest and other variables requires methods that take thisrestriction into account. For example, this may arise when the variableof interest is constrained to lie between zero and one, as inthe case of a probability, or is constrained to be positive,as in the case of wages or hours worked.

Limited dependent variable models include:^[2]

• Censoring, where for some individuals in a data set, some data are missing but other data are present;
• Truncation, where some individuals are systematically excluded from observation (failure to take this phenomenon into account can result in selection bias);
• Discrete outcomes, such as binary decisions or qualitative data restricted to a small number of categories. Discrete choice models may have either unordered or ordered alternatives; ordered alternatives may take the form of count data or ordered rating responses (such as a Likert scale).^[3]

See also

• • Logit, logit model, ordered logit Multivariate probit models
• Probit, probit model, ordered probit
• Tobit model

See also

• Censored regression model
• Selection bias
• Truncated regression model

Notes and References

1. Book: Wooldridge, J.M. . 2002 . Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data . registration . MIT Press, Cambridge. 0-262-23219-7. 47521388 . 451.
2. Book: Maddala, G.S. . 1983 . Limited-Dependent and Qualitative Variables in Econometrics . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 0-521-33825-5. 25207809.
3. Book: Stock . James H. . Watson . Mark W. . 2003 . Introduction to Econometrics . Addison-Wesley, Boston. 0-201-71595-3 . 248704396 . 328–9.