Full-empirical-analysis-skill-c4662b — independently scanned and version-tracked by SaferSkills.
SaferSkills independently audited Full-empirical-analysis-skill-c4662b (Agent Skill) and scored it 100/100 (green). The audit ran 55 deterministic rules across Security, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Transparency, and Community; it found 0 high-severity and 0 lower-severity findings. The full rule-by-rule trace and per-finding evidence are below. Free, methodology-open.
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Every scanned point with the score it earned and what moved between them.
First recorded scan — no prior version to compare against.
The primary manifest — the file an agent reads to learn what this artifact does.
This skill is the canonical 8-step pipeline an applied economist runs on every empirical paper, written in the traditional Python ecosystem — no opinionated one-stop wrapper. Every step calls libraries directly (pandas, numpy, scipy, statsmodels, linearmodels, pyfixest, rdrobust, econml, causalml, matplotlib, seaborn), so the agent — or the user reading the agent's code — has full visibility and can swap any component.
Companion skill: if the user prefers a single-import agent-native DSL (import statspai as sp), route to 00-StatsPAI_skill instead. This skill is the opposite philosophy: everything explicit, everything inspectable, every diagnostic run by hand, every plot shaped by the user.
references/ holds variant-specific depth (dozens of tests, estimator-specific diagnostics, plot recipes).pip install -r requirements.txt and df = pd.read_csv(...).Use this long playbook as a seed skill, not as a script to exhaustively apply. SkillOpt discipline: treat each local analysis-code change as a candidate patch that must beat a selection check and survive a held-out check before it becomes reusable boilerplate. Before writing or revising analysis code, compress the user's request into a task-local best_skill card:
best_skill: <mode + design + artifact target>
train_signal: <current failure, user goal, or missing evidence>
selection_split: <focal dataset/spec/output used to judge the candidate>
heldout_gate: <checks the patch must pass beyond the focal example>
accepted_patterns: <rules to reuse after validation>
rejected_patterns: <failed shortcuts not to retry without new evidence>
patch_scope: <one estimator/sample/export/robustness change>
reject_if: <conditions that force rollback to the last passing spec>econ, epi, or ml-causal), estimand, identification design, focal outcome/treatment, package stack, and required artifacts.analysis_log.md; revert to the last passing spec and do not retry the same unchecked pattern.accepted_patterns and rejected_patterns from the trajectory. Do not widen the canonical project template from a single passing run.The default playbook above is AER-style applied econometrics — the AEA convention: written-out estimating equation, identifying assumption, design horse-race, full robustness gauntlet. The skill also ships two parallel sub-pipelines for the other two big causal-inference traditions, each reusing the same Steps 1–4 (cleaning / construction / descriptives / diagnostics) and Step 8 (tables & figures) — only Step 5 (estimator) and Step 6/7 (robustness / mechanism) swap libraries:
| Mode | Reader convention | Step-5 estimator stack | Reporting stack | Jump to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default — Applied Econ (AER / QJE / AEJ) | "Show the equation + identifying assumption + design horse-race; controls visible; clustered SE" | DID / IV / RD / SCM / matching / pyfixest.feols HDFE | AER house-style multi-column pf.etable / Stargazer + 8-section paper layout | Steps 1 → 8 (entire playbook below) |
| Mode A — Epidemiology / Public Health | "STROBE / TRIPOD-AI; target trial protocol; doubly-robust estimand; absolute & relative risk; KM survival" | Target-trial emulation · IPTW (zepid) · g-formula (zepid / hand-rolled) · TMLE (zepid.causal.gformula / econml) · Mendelian randomization (pymr / rpy2+TwoSampleMR) · KM/AFT (lifelines) | Same pf.etable + risk-difference / hazard-ratio / E-value rows | §A. Epidemiology pipeline |
| Mode B — ML Causal Inference | "DML / meta-learners / causal forest / DR-learner; CATE distribution; policy value" | DML (econml.dml / doubleml) · S/T/X/R/DR-Learner (econml.metalearners / causalml) · GRF causal forest (econml.grf) · Dragonnet/TARNet/CEVAE (causalml) · BCF (pymc-bart/bcf-py) · matrix completion | pf.etable ML horse-race + CATE plot + policy-value table + conformal PI (mapie) | §B. ML causal pipeline |
How to invoke a non-default mode (Claude / agent picks this up from the user's wording):
| User says... | Mode the skill switches to |
|---|---|
| "Run a DID / IV / RD / event study", "AER table", "applied micro" | Default (AER econ) — Steps 1 → 8 |
| "Target trial emulation", "g-formula", "IPTW", "TMLE", "Mendelian randomization", "STROBE / TRIPOD", "公共健康 / 流行病学", "epi pipeline", "RWE study", "cohort study", "case-control" | Mode A (Epi) — §A |
| "DML", "double machine learning", "causal forest", "meta-learner", "CATE", "Dragonnet", "BCF", "policy learning", "conformal causal", "fairness audit", "ML causal", "uplift modeling", "因果机器学习" | Mode B (ML causal) — §B |
| "Mix" (e.g. "estimate DID + then ML CATE on the heterogeneity") | Default + Mode B in sequence — every estimator returns a coefficient + SE pair, drop them all into one pf.etable(...) for the horse-race column |
The three modes share the same Step 1–4 cleaning / Table 1 / diagnostics scaffolding, the same Step 8 export stack, and the same DAG-first identification logic — switching modes only changes which Step-5 estimator family you reach for, not the surrounding paper structure. If you only want descriptive stats / Table 1 / a balance check, the AER tableone / gtsummary-style calls in Step 3 work identically across all three modes.
This skill defaults to the applied-economics paper convention. Unless the user explicitly asks for a single point estimate, every run produces the full publication-ready output set below. Treat it as the contract of Step 8 — mandatory, not opt-in.
| # | Table | Source / library | Saves to |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Summary statistics & balance (treated vs control, with SMD / p-values) | pandas.describe + custom table1() (Step 3) | tables/table1_balance.xlsx + .docx + .tex |
| T2 ★ | Main results — multi-column regression M1→M6 (progressive controls + FE) | pyfixest.feols × 6 specs → pf.etable() / Stargazer (Step 5–6) | tables/table2_main.xlsx + .docx + .tex |
| T3 | Mechanism / outcome ladder — same treatment, 3+ outcomes side-by-side | feols looped over y ∈ {Y1, Y2, Y3, Y_main} → pf.etable | tables/table3_mechanism.xlsx + .docx + .tex |
| T4 | Heterogeneity — subgroup × main coef (gender, age, region, …) | subgroup feols × Wald → pf.etable (Step 7) | tables/table4_heterogeneity.xlsx + .docx + .tex |
| T5 | Robustness battery — alt SE / alt cluster / alt sample / placebo, in one table | feols × variants → pf.etable (Step 6) | tables/table5_robustness.xlsx + .docx + .tex |
★ Table 2 is the centerpiece of every economics paper. It is the multi-column regression table that walks the reader from raw correlation (M1) to the fully-specified design (M6: 2-way FE + interacted FE + cluster-robust SE). Do not collapse it into a single column. Do not report only the headline coefficient. The progression is the credibility argument: if M1→M6 is monotone and stable, the design is plausibly identifying; if it collapses on adding FE, that is the result.
>
Canonical 6 columns, in order: 1. M1 raw bivariate (y ~ treat) 2. M2 + demographics (+ age + edu) 3. M3 + sector controls (+ tenure / firm_size / industry) 4. M4 + unit FE (| worker_id) 5. M5 + 2-way FE (| worker_id + year) 6. M6 + interacted FE (| worker_id + year + industry^year) with cluster-robust SE
| # | Figure | Source / library | Saves to |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Trend / motivation — treated vs control over time, with policy line | df.groupby([year, treat])[y].mean().unstack().plot() (Step 3) | figures/fig1_trend.png (300 dpi, 必须导出 PNG) + .pdf |
| F2 | Event-study coefficients with 95% CI, base period at –1 | pf.feols(... ~ i(rel_time, ref=-1) ...) → pf.iplot() (Step 5) | figures/fig2_event_study.png (300 dpi, 必须导出 PNG) + .pdf |
| F3 | Coefficient plot across specs M1→M6 | matplotlib.errorbar over the 6 fitted models (Step 8) | figures/fig3_coefplot.png (300 dpi, 必须导出 PNG) + .pdf |
| F4 | Robustness / sensitivity curve — spec curve, HonestDiD, or cluster-comparison | spec_curve loop or honest_did plot (Step 6) | figures/fig4_sensitivity.png (300 dpi, 必须导出 PNG) + .pdf |
project/
├── tables/ table1_balance.xlsx/.docx/.tex table2_main.xlsx/.docx/.tex
│ table3_mechanism.xlsx/.docx/.tex table4_heterogeneity.xlsx/.docx/.tex
│ table5_robustness.xlsx/.docx/.tex
└── figures/ fig1_trend.png(300dpi)+.pdf fig2_event_study.png(300dpi)+.pdf
fig3_coefplot.png(300dpi)+.pdf fig4_sensitivity.png(300dpi)+.pdf关键输出规则(必须遵守):
pip install pandas numpy scipy matplotlib seaborn \
statsmodels linearmodels pyfixest \
rdrobust rddensity \
econml causalml \
stargazer # publication-ready regression tables
# Optional but commonly needed:
pip install missingno # missing-data visualization
pip install pyreadstat # Stata .dta / SPSS .sav import
pip install arch # GARCH, unit-root tests, HAC
pip install pingouin # clean stats tests wrapper
pip install pysynth # synthetic control (N=1 treated)┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step −1 Pre-Analysis Plan (PAP) statsmodels.stats.power / mde │
│ Step 0 Sample log + data contract sample_log/asserts/JSON dump │
│ Step 1 Data cleaning missing / outliers / dtype / join │
│ Step 2 Variable construction log / winsorize / std / encode │
│ Step 2.5 Empirical strategy equation × ID assumption + pre-reg│
│ Step 3 Descriptive statistics Table 1 / corr / distribution │
│ Step 3.5 Identification graphics event-study/1st-stage/McCrary/love│
│ Step 4 Diagnostic tests normality / hetero / autocorr / VIF│
│ Step 5 Baseline modeling OLS / panel / IV / DID / RD / SC │
│ Step 6 Robustness battery placebo / subsample / spec curve │
│ Step 7 Further analysis mechanism / heterogeneity / mediation│
│ Step 8 Tables & figures stargazer / coefplot / event study│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘The 8 steps mirror the canonical sections of an applied AER / QJE / AEJ paper. Each step is one paper section and emits a paper-ready artifact on disk:
Paper section Step Python moves
─────────────────────────── ───── ────────────────────────────────────────────────
Pre-Analysis Plan −1 statsmodels.stats.power + freeze pap.json
§1. Data 0 sample_log + 5-check data contract → JSON
§1. Data 1 pandas read_*/dropna/dtype/merge(validate=)
§1. Data 2 np.log/np.arcsinh/winsorize/groupby.shift/diff
§1.1 Descriptives (Table 1) 3 df.describe() · table1_with_smd · seaborn
§2. Empirical Strategy 2.5 equation × ID assumption table + pre-reg
§3. Identification graphics 3.5 pf.iplot · binscatter · rdplot · mccrary · love
§3.5 Diagnostics 4 statsmodels.diagnostic + scipy.stats
§4. Main Results (Table 2) 5 pf.feols/IV2SLS/CausalForest · pf.etable / Stargazer
§5. Heterogeneity (Table 3) 7 pf.feols(... + i(.):X) · marginaleffects-py
§6. Mechanisms / Channels 7 Baron-Kenny · econml.dml · outcome ladder
§7. Robustness gauntlet 6 placebo · oster · honestdid · spec_curve · 2-way
§8. Replication package 8 Stargazer.render_latex · pf.etable("docx") · result.jsonBelow is the canonical code at each step. All examples share one running narrative — a labor-economics panel where training (treatment) affects log_wage (outcome), with covariates age, edu, tenure, panel keys worker_id / firm_id / year. Column names and parameter values are illustrative — substitute the real ones from the user's DataFrame. Only library names and call shapes are normative.
When a step has many variants (e.g. staggered DID has five different estimators; heteroskedasticity has four classic tests), SKILL.md shows the one you reach for first and links to references/NN-<topic>.md for the rest. Read the reference file when the user's case doesn't fit the default.A modern AER paper has 5–7 figures and 3–5 main tables + an appendix robustness table. Every step below leaves at least one numbered artifact on disk. Default file names assume parallel .tex / .docx / .xlsx exports (the agent should produce all three so co-authors can edit in Word, the build system can use LaTeX, and editors can edit raw numbers in Excel). 所有图片必须同时保存 PNG(≥300 dpi)和 PDF 两种格式。
| § | Artifact | Python primitive | Filenames |
|---|---|---|---|
| §1 | Figure 1: raw trends / treatment rollout | df.groupby([time,treat])[y].mean().unstack().plot() · seaborn.heatmap for staggered rollout | figures/fig1_trend.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §1 | Table 1: summary stats (full / treated / control + Δ + SMD) | table1(df, by=, cols=) (Step 3.b) → write LaTeX/Word/Excel | tables/table1_balance.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §3 | Figure 2: identification graphic (event-study / first-stage / McCrary / RD scatter / SCM trajectory) | pf.iplot(es) · binscatter · rdplot · rddensity · synthdid | figures/fig2_event_study.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §4 | Table 2: main results — progressive controls M1→M6 | pf.etable([m1...m6]) · Stargazer([m1.fit ... m6.fit]) | tables/table2_main.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §4 | Table 2-bis: design horse-race (OLS / IV / DID / DML) | pf.etable([ols, iv, did, dml]) | tables/table2b_designs.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §4 | Figure 3: coefficient plot across specs | pf.coefplot([m1...m6], coefs=["training"]) | figures/fig3_coefplot.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §5 | Table 3: heterogeneity by subgroup | pf.etable(g_full, g_male, g_fem, g_q1...q4) | tables/table3_heterogeneity.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §5 | Figure 4: dose-response / CATE | econml.CausalForestDML(...).effect() + matplotlib hist | figures/fig4_cate.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §6 | Table 4: mechanism / outcome ladder | loop pf.feols over outcomes → pf.etable | tables/table4_mechanism.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §7 | Table A1: robustness master (one column per check) | pf.etable([base, no99, balpan, dropearly, wfe, cl2way, logy, ihsy, psm, ebal]) | tables/tableA1_robustness.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
| §7 | Figure 5: spec curve | hand-rolled itertools.product + matplotlib errorbar | figures/fig5_spec_curve.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §7 | Figure 6: sensitivity (HonestDiD / Oster / E-value) | HonestDiD · oster_bound · evalue | figures/fig6_sensitivity.png(300dpi)+.pdf |
| §8 | Replication bundle: all tables in one document | pf.etable([...] + extra=[...], type="docx") · pylatex / texdoc-style multi-panel | replication/paper_tables.xlsx/.docx/.tex |
Every Python estimator above (pf.feols/IV2SLS/att_gtvia R-callout /CausalForestDML) returns a result object that can be passed straight intopf.etable(...)/pf.coefplot(...)/Stargazer(...). Don't hand-roll LaTeX fromdf.to_latex(), and don't render Word viapython-docxdirectly —pf.etable/Stargazerapply book-tab borders, AER stars, and the right SE label automatically. For deeper export recipes (LaTeX / Word / Markdown variants, multi-panel.docx, fullgtsummary-style flow), seereferences/08-tables-plots.md.
关键规则(必须遵守):每个表格必须同时导出三种格式——Excel(.xlsx)、Word(.docx)、LaTeX(.tex)。每个图片必须同时保存PNG(≥300dpi)和PDF两种格式。
Three tiers, picked by scope:
| Tier | Use when | API | Hot kwargs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Single multi-column table | Exporting one Table 2 / Table 3 / Table A1 with progressive columns | pf.etable([m1,...,mN], type="tex"/"docx"/"xlsx", file="...", headers=[...], digits=3, signif_code=[0.1,0.05,0.01]) — or Stargazer([m1.fit,...,mN.fit]).render_latex() for statsmodels-only | keep=, drop=, coef_map=, headers=, digits=, signif_code=, fixef_rm=, notes= |
| 2. Multi-panel paper format (Tables 2 + 3 + A1 + A2 in one file) | Producing the paper-tables block — main + heterogeneity + robustness + placebo as a single document | Stack via repeat pf.etable(..., extralines=...) calls, or use gtsummary-style chained tables; for true single-file multi-panel, write to a .tex then concat | first panel: write; subsequent: append; surround with LaTeX \section{} headers |
3. Full session bundle (the Stata collect / R gt equivalent) | Replication appendix that mixes summary stats + balance + multiple regression tables + headings + prose in one file | Compose programmatically with pylatex / python-docx / quarto — render once. Or use statsmodels.iolib.summary2.summary_col for a quick concat of tables. | journal-style template + per-section heading + footnote macros |
Journal styling — pick the right `signif_code` and SE label. AEA convention is [0.1, 0.05, 0.01] and SE label "Cluster-robust standard errors in parentheses". Define a wrapper once at the top of master.py:
# top of master.py — journal house-style wrapper
AER_SIGNIF = [0.1, 0.05, 0.01]
AER_NOTES = ("Cluster-robust standard errors in parentheses. "
"* p<0.10, ** p<0.05, *** p<0.01.")
def aer_table(models, *, file, headers=None, coef_map=None):
# 同时导出三种格式:.xlsx(用于编辑)、.docx(用于Word)、.tex(用于LaTeX)
base, ext = os.path.splitext(file)
for ext, type_ in [(".xlsx", "xlsx"), (".docx", "docx"), (".tex", "tex")]:
pf.etable(models, type=type_, file=base + ext,
headers=headers, coef_map=coef_map,
digits=3, signif_code=AER_SIGNIF, notes=AER_NOTES)For the multi-panel .docx / .xlsx and Markdown / Quarto cookbook (single-file paper-tables bundle), see references/08-tables-plots.md.
Before touching the data, write down (a) the population, (b) the design, (c) the minimum detectable effect (MDE) under the planned sample size and α=0.05, β=0.20. Persist the result as pap.json so a referee can verify the design was powered before, not after, the data were seen.
import json
from statsmodels.stats.power import TTestIndPower, NormalIndPower
from statsmodels.stats.proportion import samplesize_proportions_2indep_onetail
# Two-sample MDE for a continuous outcome (Cohen's d framing)
analysis = TTestIndPower()
n_required = analysis.solve_power(effect_size=0.20, power=0.80, alpha=0.05, ratio=1.0)
print(f"n per arm for d=0.20, 80% power: {n_required:.0f}")
# Solve for MDE given fixed n
mde = analysis.solve_power(nobs1=2000, power=0.80, alpha=0.05, ratio=1.0)
print(f"MDE (Cohen's d) at n=2000 per arm: {mde:.3f}")
# Cluster-randomized RCT — design effect = 1 + (m-1)·ICC
m, icc = 50, 0.05
deff = 1 + (m - 1) * icc
n_eff_required = analysis.solve_power(effect_size=0.20, power=0.80, alpha=0.05) * deff
print(f"n per arm under ICC={icc}, cluster size={m}: {n_eff_required:.0f}")
# DID: use Frison-Pocock / Bloom (1995) — see references/05-modeling.md §5.4
# RD: power via Monte Carlo — see references/05-modeling.md §5.5
# Persist the protocol — the referee will ask whether the design was powered ex ante
pap = {
"population": "manufacturing workers, 2010–2020",
"treatment": "training (binary, staggered adoption)",
"outcome": "log_wage",
"estimand": "ATT",
"design": "staggered DID, Callaway–Sant'Anna",
"alpha": 0.05,
"power_target": 0.80,
"mde_d": 0.20,
"n_planned": 12000,
"frozen_at": "2026-01-15T09:00:00Z",
"git_sha": "<paste>",
}
with open("artifacts/pap.json", "w") as f:
json.dump(pap, f, indent=2)Commit artifacts/pap.json in the repo before Step 1. AEA RCT Registry / OSF preregistration tools accept it as the analysis-plan exhibit.
An AER §1 Data section has three jobs: (a) describe sources, (b) document every sample restriction (the "footnote 4" sample log), (c) lock the panel structure. The data contract is the cure for "mysterious sample-size shrinkage" bugs in the response letter.
import pandas as pd, json
sample_log = []
df_raw = pd.read_csv("raw.csv")
sample_log.append(("0. raw", len(df_raw)))
df1 = df_raw.dropna(subset=["wage"])
sample_log.append(("1. drop missing wage", len(df1)))
df2 = df1[df1["age"].between(18, 65)]
sample_log.append(("2. drop age outside 18-65", len(df2)))
df3 = df2[df2["industry"].isin({"manuf","construction","transport"})]
sample_log.append(("3. keep target industries", len(df3)))
df = df3
for label, n in sample_log:
print(f" {label:<30s} N = {n:>10,d}")
with open("artifacts/sample_construction.json", "w") as f:
json.dump(sample_log, f, indent=2)Paste the printed lines verbatim as footnote 4 of the paper.
import pandas as pd, numpy as np, json
from scipy import stats
def data_contract(df, *, y, treatment, id=None, time=None, covariates=()):
"""Return a go/no-go dict. Stop the pipeline if any required check fails."""
keys = [y, treatment] + ([id, time] if id and time else []) + list(covariates)
c = {
"n_obs": len(df), # 1. shape
"dtypes": df[keys].dtypes.astype(str).to_dict(), # 2. dtypes
"n_missing": df[keys].isna().sum().to_dict(), # 3. missingness
"n_dupes_on_keys": 0,
"panel_balanced": None,
"cohort_sizes": None,
}
if id and time:
c["n_dupes_on_keys"] = int(df.duplicated([id, time]).sum()) # 4. dups
bal = df.groupby(id).size()
c["panel_balanced"] = bool((bal == bal.max()).all()) # 5. balance
c["n_dropped_by_balance"] = int((bal != bal.max()).sum())
if "first_treat_year" in df.columns:
c["cohort_sizes"] = (
df.drop_duplicates(id).groupby("first_treat_year")
.size().to_dict()
)
c["y_range"] = (float(df[y].min()), float(df[y].max()))
c["treatment_share"] = float(df[treatment].mean())
# MCAR sniff test (Rubin) — if missing(y) is associated with covariates,
# listwise deletion biases the estimate. Use MI / IPW instead.
miss_y = df[y].isna()
c["mcar_hint"] = "likely MCAR (listwise OK)"
if miss_y.any() and (~miss_y).any():
for cov in covariates:
if df[cov].dtype.kind in "fi":
_, p = stats.ttest_ind(df.loc[miss_y, cov].dropna(),
df.loc[~miss_y, cov].dropna(),
equal_var=False)
if p < 0.05:
c["mcar_hint"] = (f"NOT MCAR (y-miss differs on {cov}, p={p:.3f}) "
f"→ use MI / IPW, NOT listwise drop")
break
return c
contract = data_contract(df, y="wage", treatment="training",
id="worker_id", time="year",
covariates=["age", "edu", "tenure"])
assert contract["n_dupes_on_keys"] == 0, f"dup (id, time): {contract['n_dupes_on_keys']}"
assert all(v == 0 for v in contract["n_missing"].values()), \
f"NaNs on keys: {contract['n_missing']}"
with open("artifacts/data_contract.json", "w") as f:
json.dump(contract, f, indent=2, default=str)If any assertion fires, stop and fix it in pandas. Estimators silently drop NaN rows downstream — this contract is the cheapest insurance against "why did N drop from 12,000 to 9,800 between Table 1 and Table 2?" referee questions.
Deeper patterns: references/01-data-cleaning.md — missing-value strategies (MCAR/MAR/MNAR), outlier detection (IQR / z-score / Mahalanobis), dtype coercion, merging gotchas, panel-structure validation, deduplication.
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np
df = pd.read_csv("raw.csv")
# 1a. Inspect — always do this first
df.info() # dtypes + non-null counts
df.describe(include="all").T # numeric + categorical
df.isna().mean().sort_values(ascending=False) # missingness share per column
# 1b. Fix dtypes (strings-that-should-be-numeric are the #1 silent bug)
df["year"] = pd.to_numeric(df["year"], errors="coerce")
df["wage"] = pd.to_numeric(df["wage"], errors="coerce")
df["gender"] = df["gender"].astype("category")
df["date"] = pd.to_datetime(df["date"], errors="coerce")
# 1c. Missing values — decide PER VARIABLE, never blanket-drop
key_vars = ["wage", "training", "worker_id", "year"]
df = df.dropna(subset=key_vars) # drop rows missing on keys
df["tenure"] = df["tenure"].fillna(df["tenure"].median()) # median-impute numeric covariate
df["union"] = df["union"].fillna("unknown") # explicit "unknown" for categorical
# 1d. Outliers — flag first, winsorize in Step 2
df["wage_z"] = (df["wage"] - df["wage"].mean()) / df["wage"].std()
outlier_mask = df["wage_z"].abs() > 4
print(f"{outlier_mask.sum()} rows flagged as |z|>4 on wage")
# 1e. Deduplicate on the panel key
dupes = df.duplicated(subset=["worker_id", "year"], keep=False)
assert dupes.sum() == 0, f"{dupes.sum()} duplicate (worker_id, year) pairs"
# 1f. Merge auxiliary data — use validate= to catch silent m:m blowups
df = df.merge(firm_chars, on="firm_id", how="left", validate="many_to_one")
# 1g. Panel structure check — balanced vs. unbalanced
panel_summary = df.groupby("worker_id")["year"].agg(["count", "min", "max"])
print(panel_summary.describe())
is_balanced = (panel_summary["count"] == panel_summary["count"].max()).all()
print(f"Balanced: {is_balanced}")Key principle: pandas + explicit decisions. Never silently drop rows inside an estimator — all row exclusions happen in Step 1 with a printed count.
Deeper patterns: references/02-data-transformation.md — log/ihs/Box–Cox, winsorizing vs. trimming, within-group standardization, one-hot vs. ordinal vs. target encoding, interaction terms, lag/lead operators, first differences, deflation with CPI.
# 2a. Log / IHS transform (skewed positive variables)
df["log_wage"] = np.log(df["wage"].clip(lower=1)) # floor at 1 to avoid -inf
df["ihs_assets"] = np.arcsinh(df["assets"]) # handles zero / negative
# 2b. Winsorize (top/bottom 1%) — reduces outlier influence without dropping rows
from scipy.stats.mstats import winsorize
df["wage_w"] = winsorize(df["wage"], limits=[0.01, 0.01]).data
# 2c. Standardize (z-score) — for interpretability or ML
df["age_std"] = (df["age"] - df["age"].mean()) / df["age"].std()
# 2d. Categorical encoding
df = pd.get_dummies(df, columns=["industry"], prefix="ind", drop_first=True)
# 2e. Interaction & polynomial
df["age_sq"] = df["age"] ** 2
df["training_x_edu"] = df["training"] * df["edu"]
# 2f. Panel operators — first difference, lag, lead, within-group mean
df = df.sort_values(["worker_id", "year"])
df["wage_l1"] = df.groupby("worker_id")["log_wage"].shift(1) # lag
df["wage_f1"] = df.groupby("worker_id")["log_wage"].shift(-1) # lead
df["d_wage"] = df.groupby("worker_id")["log_wage"].diff() # Δy_it
df["wage_mean"] = df.groupby("worker_id")["log_wage"].transform("mean") # within-unit mean
# 2g. Treatment timing variables for staggered DID
df["first_treat_year"] = df.groupby("worker_id")["training"] \
.transform(lambda s: s.idxmax() if s.any() else np.nan)
df["rel_time"] = df["year"] - df["first_treat_year"]This is the heart of an AER paper. Before any code, write down the equation explicitly and state the identifying assumption. Vague identification language is the single most common reason a referee rejects an applied paper. Persist the strategy as strategy.md so it is a dated, version-controlled artifact — not a post-hoc rationalization written after seeing the coefficient.
#### Equation × identifying assumption × Python estimator (decision table)
| Design | Estimating equation | Identifying assumption | Python estimator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2×2 DID | Y_it = α_i + λ_t + β·D_it + X'γ + ε_it | parallel trends conditional on X | `pf.feols("y ~ i(treated, post, ref=0) | i + t", df, vcov={"CRV1":"i"})` |
| Event-study (CS / SA) | Y_it = α_i + λ_t + Σ_{e≠-1} β_e · 1{t-G_i = e} + ε_it | no anticipation + group-time PT | `pf.feols("y ~ i(rel, ref=-1) | i + t", df) · att_gt (R callout) · did_imputation` |
| 2SLS | Y_i = α + β·D_i + X'γ + ε_i; D_i = π·Z_i + X'δ + u_i | exclusion + relevance + monotonicity | linearmodels.iv.IV2SLS.from_formula("y ~ X + [D ~ Z]", df) | |
| Sharp RD | Y_i = α + β·1{X_i ≥ c} + f(X_i) + ε_i (local poly) | continuity of E[Y(0)\ | X] at c, no manipulation | rdrobust(y, x, c=0) (+ rddensity) |
| SCM | Ŷ_1t(0) = Σ_j ŵ_j Y_jt, τ_t = Y_1t − Ŷ_1t(0) for t≥T_0 | pre-period fit + interpolation validity | pysynth · synthdid (R callout) | |
| Selection-on-observables (matching/IPW/DML) | Y_i = m(X_i) + β·D_i + ε_i (Robinson partialling-out) | unconfoundedness + overlap | econml.dml.DML · econml.dr.DRLearner · causalml.matching.PSM |
#### Design picker (when the user is unsure)
┌─ running var + cutoff ───────────────── RDD (rdrobust)
│
├─ exogenous instrument Z ─────────────── IV/2SLS (linearmodels.IV2SLS)
data + question ─┤
├─ pre/post × treat/control ─┬ 2 periods ── 2×2 DID (pf.feols + i())
│ └ staggered ── CS / SA / BJS (att_gt / sunab / did_imputation)
│
├─ 1 treated unit + donor pool + long pre ── SCM (pysynth / synthdid)
│
├─ high-dim X, selection-on-observables ── ML causal (econml.dml / causalml — see §B)
│
└─ none of the above ──────────────────── matching + sensitivity (causalml + evalue)#### Pre-registration strategy.md template
from pathlib import Path
strategy = """\
# Empirical Strategy (pre-registration)
**Frozen**: 2026-01-15 (Git SHA: <paste>)
**Population**: manufacturing workers, 2010–2020, balanced panel
**Treatment**: training (binary, staggered adoption)
**Outcome**: log_wage (CPI-deflated 2010 USD)
**Estimand**: ATT on the treated, dynamic horizon -4..+4
## Estimating equation (paste from §2.5 row that matches the design)
log_wage_it = α_i + λ_t + Σ_{e≠-1} β_e · 1{t - G_i = e} + ε_it
## Identifying assumption
1. No anticipation: E[Y_it(0) | t < G_i] = E[Y_it(0) | never-treated]
2. Group-time PT: Δ E[Y_it(0)] is the same across treatment cohorts
## Auto-flagged threats (must defend in §2)
- Selection of G_i on Y_i(0) → bacondecomp + honestdid sensitivity
- Spillover within firm → cluster at firm_id, also try firm_id × year
- Anticipation in pre-period → include lead in event study
## Fallback estimators (Step 6 robustness)
- Sun–Abraham via `pf.feols("y ~ sunab(G, t) | i + t", df)` (or R callout to `fixest::sunab`)
- Borusyak-Jaravel-Spiess via `did_imputation` (R callout)
- Synthetic DID via `synthdid` (R callout)
"""
Path("artifacts/strategy.md").write_text(strategy)Commit artifacts/strategy.md in the repo before running Step 5 / Step 6. The git log of this file is the analysis plan.
Deeper patterns: references/03-descriptive-stats.md — stratified Table 1 with SMDs, weighted descriptives, distributional comparison (ECDF, QQ), correlation heatmaps + clustering, panel balance checks, time-series seasonality plots.
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# 3a. Full-sample summary — classic "Table 1, column 1"
stats = df[["log_wage","age","edu","tenure","training"]].describe().T
stats["N"] = df[["log_wage","age","edu","tenure","training"]].notna().sum()
print(stats[["N","mean","std","min","25%","50%","75%","max"]])
# 3b. Stratified Table 1 (treated vs. control + t-test / SMD)
from scipy import stats as sps
def table1(df, by, cols):
rows = []
for c in cols:
t, ctrl = df.loc[df[by]==1, c], df.loc[df[by]==0, c]
smd = (t.mean() - ctrl.mean()) / np.sqrt((t.var()+ctrl.var())/2)
p = sps.ttest_ind(t.dropna(), ctrl.dropna(), equal_var=False).pvalue
rows.append([c, t.mean(), t.std(), ctrl.mean(), ctrl.std(), smd, p])
return pd.DataFrame(rows, columns=["var","treat_mean","treat_sd",
"ctrl_mean","ctrl_sd","SMD","p"])
t1 = table1(df, by="training", cols=["log_wage","age","edu","tenure"])
print(t1.round(3))
# 3c. Correlation heatmap
corr = df[["log_wage","age","edu","tenure","training"]].corr()
sns.heatmap(corr, annot=True, cmap="RdBu_r", center=0, vmin=-1, vmax=1)
plt.tight_layout(); plt.savefig("fig_corr.pdf")
# 3d. Distribution plot — density by treatment status
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(6,4))
for g, sub in df.groupby("training"):
sub["log_wage"].plot.kde(ax=ax, label=f"training={g}")
ax.set_xlabel("log wage"); ax.legend(); plt.savefig("fig_dist.pdf")
# 3e. Time trends — treated vs. control (the DID motivation plot)
trend = df.groupby(["year","training"])["log_wage"].mean().unstack()
trend.plot(marker="o"); plt.ylabel("mean log wage"); plt.savefig("fig_trend.pdf")
# 3f. Panel balance diagnostic — how many units observed each year?
df.groupby("year")["worker_id"].nunique().plot(kind="bar")
plt.ylabel("# unique workers"); plt.savefig("fig_panel_balance.pdf")AER convention: the identification figure precedes the regression table. The reader should see graphical evidence that PT holds / first stage is strong / RD jumps cleanly before you ask them to trust your point estimate.
#### 3.5.1 Event-study figure + numerical pre-trends test (DID identification)
Pre-period coefficients ≈ 0 (with the −1 reference period normalized to zero) is the visual evidence for parallel trends. Pair the figure with a numerical pre-trends test so reviewers don't have to eyeball it.
import pyfixest as pf
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# (a) Sun-Abraham via pyfixest::sunab — the modern primary for staggered DID
es = pf.feols("log_wage ~ sunab(first_treat_year, year) | worker_id + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1": "worker_id"})
# (b) Coefficient figure
fig = pf.iplot(es,
figsize=(7, 4),
title="Figure 2a. Event-study coefficients (95% CI; ref. e = -1)",
xlabel="Years relative to treatment",
ylabel="Coefficient (ATT)")
fig.savefig("figures/fig2a_event_study.pdf", dpi=300)
fig.savefig("figures/fig2a_event_study.png", dpi=300)
# (c) Numerical pre-trends F-test (Wald on the leads jointly = 0)
import numpy as np
pre_idx = [k for k in es.coef().index if "rel_time::-" in k and "ref" not in k]
W = es.wald_test(pre_idx)
print(f"Pre-trends Wald χ² = {W.statistic:.2f}, p = {W.pvalue:.3f}")
# (d) Bacon decomposition (Goodman-Bacon 2021) — TWFE diagnostic
# Pure-Python: callout to R::bacondecomp via rpy2 (Stata/R have first-class support)
# OR use the `bacondecomp` Python port if installed.
try:
from bacondecomp import bacon
bd = bacon(df, y="log_wage", D="training", time="year", id_var="worker_id")
bd.plot(); plt.savefig("figures/fig2a_bacon.pdf", dpi=300)
except ImportError:
print("bacondecomp not installed; use R callout or Stata's -bacondecomp-.")#### 3.5.2 First-stage F-statistic + scatter (IV identification)
Rule of thumb: first-stage F ≥ 10 for OLS-style inference; F ≥ 23 for AR-equivalent inference (Stock–Yogo / Lee 2022).
from linearmodels.iv import IV2SLS
iv = IV2SLS.from_formula(
"log_wage ~ 1 + age + edu + [training ~ Z1 + Z2]",
data=df).fit(cov_type="clustered", clusters=df["firm_id"])
print(iv.first_stage) # reports first-stage F
print(iv.summary)
# Binscatter for the first-stage scatter (residualized on age + edu)
from binsreg import binsreg # pip install binsreg
res = binsreg(y=df["training"], x=df["Z1"], w=df[["age","edu"]],
nbins=20, polyreg=2, ci=(3,3))
res.bins_plot.savefig("figures/fig2b_first_stage.pdf", dpi=300)#### 3.5.3 RD: McCrary density + canonical RD plot
The signature RD figure is rdplot (CCT-style binned scatter with local-polynomial fit on each side), paired with the McCrary manipulation test.
from rdrobust import rdplot, rdrobust
from rddensity import rddensity, rdplotdensity
# (a) Canonical RD plot — binned means + local poly on each side
rdp = rdplot(y=df["outcome"], x=df["running_var"], c=0,
p=4, kernel="triangular", binselect="esmv")
plt.savefig("figures/fig2c_rdplot.pdf", dpi=300)
# (b) McCrary density (Cattaneo-Jansson-Ma 2018)
dens = rddensity(X=df["running_var"], c=0)
print(dens)
rdplotdensity(dens, X=df["running_var"])
plt.savefig("figures/fig2c_mccrary.pdf", dpi=300)#### 3.5.4 Matching: love plot (standardized differences pre vs post)
import causalml.matching as cm
from causalml.match import NearestNeighborMatch
import seaborn as sns
# Pre-matching SMDs
pre_smd = ((df.loc[df.training==1, ["age","edu","tenure"]].mean()
- df.loc[df.training==0, ["age","edu","tenure"]].mean())
/ df[["age","edu","tenure"]].std())
# Match
psm = NearestNeighborMatch(replace=False, ratio=1, random_state=42)
matched = psm.match(data=df, treatment_col="training",
score_cols=["age","edu","tenure"])
# Post-matching SMDs
post_smd = ((matched.loc[matched.training==1, ["age","edu","tenure"]].mean()
- matched.loc[matched.training==0, ["age","edu","tenure"]].mean())
/ matched[["age","edu","tenure"]].std())
love = pd.DataFrame({"pre": pre_smd.abs(), "post": post_smd.abs()})
love.plot.barh(); plt.axvline(0.10, ls="--", c="r")
plt.title("Figure 2d. Love plot — |SMD| pre vs post matching (target < 0.10)")
plt.savefig("figures/fig2d_loveplot.pdf", dpi=300)#### 3.5.5 SCM: synthetic-control trajectory + gap plot
For synthetic-control designs the canonical Figure 2 is the treated-vs-synthetic time series with treatment time annotated.
# Pure Python: pysynth or sparseSC; for SDiD use rpy2 callout to R::synthdid
from SyntheticControlMethods import Synth
sc = Synth(df, "outcome", "unit_id", "time", treatment_period=2015,
treated_unit=1, n_optim=10)
sc.plot(["original", "pointwise"], treated_label="Treated unit",
synth_label="Synthetic control")
plt.savefig("figures/fig2e_synth_trajectory.pdf", dpi=300)Identification-specific checks (PT for DID, weak-IV F, density for RD, common support for matching) are also auto-run inside the Step-5 estimators — don't duplicate the numerics here, but DO produce the figures: a referee scans the figures first.
Deeper patterns: references/04-statistical-tests.md — every classical test with its null/alternative/decision rule (Shapiro–Wilk, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Jarque–Bera, Breusch–Pagan, White, Goldfeld–Quandt, Durbin–Watson, Breusch–Godfrey, Ljung–Box, ADF, KPSS, Phillips–Perron, VIF, condition number, Hausman, Wu–Hausman, Sargan–Hansen).
Run diagnostics before taking estimates at face value. The 5 classes below cover 90% of applied work.
import statsmodels.api as sm
from statsmodels.stats.diagnostic import (
het_breuschpagan, het_white, acorr_breusch_godfrey, acorr_ljungbox,
)
from statsmodels.stats.outliers_influence import variance_inflation_factor
from statsmodels.stats.stattools import durbin_watson, jarque_bera
from scipy import stats as sps
# Fit a baseline OLS to get residuals for diagnostics
X = sm.add_constant(df[["training","age","edu","tenure"]])
y = df["log_wage"]
ols = sm.OLS(y, X, missing="drop").fit()
# 4a. Normality of residuals (informative but NOT required for OLS — CLT handles large N)
jb_stat, jb_p, skew, kurt = jarque_bera(ols.resid)
sw_stat, sw_p = sps.shapiro(ols.resid.sample(min(5000, len(ols.resid))))
print(f"Jarque-Bera p={jb_p:.3f} Shapiro p={sw_p:.3f} skew={skew:.2f} kurt={kurt:.2f}")
# 4b. Heteroskedasticity — Breusch-Pagan + White
bp = het_breuschpagan(ols.resid, ols.model.exog)
wh = het_white (ols.resid, ols.model.exog)
print(f"Breusch-Pagan p={bp[1]:.3f} White p={wh[1]:.3f}")
# → if p<0.05, use robust / cluster-robust SEs (you already should)
# 4c. Autocorrelation (time-series / panel) — Durbin-Watson + Breusch-Godfrey + Ljung-Box
dw = durbin_watson(ols.resid) # ~2 = no AR(1)
bg = acorr_breusch_godfrey(ols, nlags=4) # general AR(p)
lb = acorr_ljungbox(ols.resid, lags=[4,8], return_df=True)
print(f"Durbin-Watson={dw:.2f} Breusch-Godfrey p={bg[1]:.3f}")
print(lb)
# 4d. Multicollinearity — VIF + condition number
vif = pd.DataFrame({
"var": X.columns,
"VIF": [variance_inflation_factor(X.values, i) for i in range(X.shape[1])]
})
print(vif) # VIF > 10 is the classic red flag
cond_number = np.linalg.cond(X.values) # > 30 = potential collinearity
print(f"Condition number = {cond_number:.1f}")
# 4e. Stationarity (time-series) — ADF + KPSS (dual test: ADF rejects unit root, KPSS accepts stationarity)
from statsmodels.tsa.stattools import adfuller, kpss
adf_stat, adf_p, *_ = adfuller(df["log_wage"].dropna(), autolag="AIC")
kpss_stat, kpss_p, *_ = kpss (df["log_wage"].dropna(), regression="c", nlags="auto")
print(f"ADF p={adf_p:.3f} KPSS p={kpss_p:.3f}")Decision table (classic rules of thumb):
| Test | Null | Action if rejected |
|---|---|---|
| Jarque–Bera / Shapiro | residuals ~ Normal | usually ignore when N large; bootstrap CIs if small-N inference matters |
| Breusch–Pagan / White | homoskedastic errors | use cov_type="HC3" or cluster SEs |
| Durbin–Watson / Breusch–Godfrey | no autocorrelation | use HAC (Newey–West) or cluster by unit |
| VIF > 10 / cond# > 30 | — | drop / combine collinear regressors |
| ADF rejects + KPSS fails to reject | series is stationary | fit levels |
| ADF fails to reject | unit root | first-difference or cointegration test |
Deeper patterns: references/05-modeling.md — every classical estimator with API: OLS, WLS, GLS, logit/probit, panel FE / RE / PO, clustered SEs, 2SLS / LIML / GMM, DID (2×2, TWFE, event study, CS, SA, BJS, SDiD), RD (sharp, fuzzy, kink, multi-cutoff), Synthetic Control, PSM / IPW / EB, DML / causal forest / DR-Learner.
This is the densest section of an applied paper. A modern AER §4 typically contains 2–3 multi-regression tables and one coefficient plot:
Estimator routing (memorize this — getting it wrong silently produces nonsense): - No FE / single low-card FE →smf.ols("y ~ X", df).fit(cov_type="cluster", cov_kwds={"groups": df["i"]})- High-dim FE →pf.feols("y ~ X | fe1 + fe2", df, vcov={"CRV1":"i"})- Two-way cluster →pf.feols(..., vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id+year"})- 2SLS / IV →IV2SLS.from_formula("y ~ X + [D ~ Z]", df).fit(...)orpf.feols("y ~ X | D ~ Z", df)- DID / event-study →pf.feols("y ~ sunab(G, t) | i + t", df)for SA; R callout todid::att_gtfor CS
Pick the estimator by identification strategy (not by "what's trendy"):
Observational cross-section, selection on observables → OLS + controls | PSM / IPW / DML
Observational panel, policy shock, parallel trends → DID (TWFE / CS / SA / BJS / SDiD)
Exogenous instrument for endogenous X → 2SLS / LIML / GMM (linearmodels / pyfixest)
Discontinuity in assignment rule → Sharp / Fuzzy / Kink RD (rdrobust)
N=1 treated unit, long panel → Synthetic Control (pysynth / SDiD)
High-dim controls or heterogeneous effects → DML / Causal Forest (econml)
Binary outcome → Logit / Probit (statsmodels)
Count outcome → Poisson / NegBin (pyfixest / statsmodels)Canonical calls (details in references/05-modeling.md). The eight regression-table patterns A–H below are the AER table cookbook — pf.etable(*models, ...) is the workhorse, equivalent to Stata's outreg2/esttab and R's modelsummary.
#### 5.A Pattern A — Progressive controls (the canonical Table 2) Stable β̂ across columns ⇒ less concern that selection on observables is driving the estimate (Oster 2019 selection-stability logic; quantified in Step 6.f).
import pyfixest as pf
m1 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
m2 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
m3 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure + firm_size", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
m4 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure + firm_size | industry + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
m5 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure + firm_size | worker_id + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
m6 = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure + firm_size | worker_id + year + industry^year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
pf.etable([m1, m2, m3, m4, m5, m6],
type="tex", file="tables/table2_main.tex",
headers=["(1) Baseline", "(2) +Demog", "(3) +Labor-mkt",
"(4) Ind×Yr FE", "(5) Worker FE", "(6) Worker FE+Ind×Yr"],
digits=3, signif_code=[0.1, 0.05, 0.01],
notes="Cluster-robust SE in parentheses, clustered at firm_id.")
pf.etable([m1, m2, m3, m4, m5, m6], type="docx", file="tables/table2_main.docx")AER convention: show ALL controls (and the intercept). Pass NEITHERkeep=NORdrop=so every parameter is visible. Usekeep=["training"]only when a focal-coefficient-only table is intentional (interaction-form heterogeneity, IV first-stage triplet); usedrop=["Intercept"]only when you want to suppress the constant for paper aesthetics.
#### 5.B Pattern B — Design horse race (Table 2-bis) Show the same coefficient of interest under multiple identification strategies. This is the AER credibility move: convergent evidence across designs each making different identifying assumptions.
from linearmodels.iv import IV2SLS
from econml.dml import LinearDML
from causalml.match import NearestNeighborMatch
ols = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure | industry + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
iv = IV2SLS.from_formula("log_wage ~ 1 + age + edu + tenure + [training ~ Z1 + Z2]",
data=df).fit(cov_type="clustered", clusters=df["firm_id"])
did = pf.feols("log_wage ~ sunab(first_treat_year, year) | worker_id + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
dml = LinearDML().fit(df["log_wage"], df["training"],
X=df[["age","edu","tenure","firm_size"]])
psm = NearestNeighborMatch(replace=False, ratio=1).match(
df, treatment_col="training", score_cols=["age","edu","tenure"])
# Wrap non-pyfixest models or use Stargazer for a multi-source table:
from stargazer.stargazer import Stargazer
table = Stargazer([ols.fit, iv, dml._final_estimator])
table.title("Table 2-bis. Convergent evidence across designs")
table.custom_columns(["(1) OLS+FE", "(2) 2SLS", "(3) DML"], [1,1,1])
open("tables/table2b_designs.tex", "w").write(table.render_latex())#### 5.C Pattern C — Multi-outcome table (same X, several Y's)
ys = ["log_wage", "weeks_employed", "left_firm", "promoted"]
multi_y = [pf.feols(f"{y} ~ training + age + edu + tenure | industry + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"}) for y in ys]
pf.etable(multi_y, type="tex", file="tables/table2c_multi_outcome.tex",
headers=ys, keep="training",
notes="Each column is a separate regression on the labelled outcome.")#### 5.D Pattern D — Stacked Panel A / Panel B table Same model family, two horizons (short-run / long-run) or two samples. Stack vertically with two pf.etable calls + LaTeX glue.
panelA = [pf.feols("wage_t1 ~ training + X | industry + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"}),
pf.feols("wage_t1 ~ training + X | worker_id + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})]
panelB = [pf.feols("wage_t5 ~ training + X | industry + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"}),
pf.feols("wage_t5 ~ training + X | worker_id + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})]
# Write Panel A
pf.etable(panelA, type="tex", file="tables/table2d_horizons.tex",
headers=["(1) Industry FE", "(2) Worker FE"], keep="training",
custom_row=[("Horizon", "1 year", "1 year")])
# Append Panel B (manually concat via texdoc-style glue, or use a wrapper)#### 5.E Pattern E — IV reporting triplet (first-stage / reduced-form / 2SLS) The textbook AER IV table presents the first stage, the reduced form, and the 2SLS in three columns so the reader can verify Wald-ratio = RF / FS.
fs = pf.feols("training ~ Z + age + edu | industry + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
rf = pf.feols("log_wage ~ Z + age + edu | industry + year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"firm_id"})
iv2 = IV2SLS.from_formula("log_wage ~ 1 + age + edu + [training ~ Z]",
data=df).fit(cov_type="clustered", clusters=df["firm_id"])
pf.etable([fs, rf], type="tex", file="tables/table2e_iv_triplet.tex",
headers=["(1) First stage", "(2) Reduced form"], keep=["Z"],
notes=("First-stage F = " + f"{fs.fitstat()['F']:.2f}"))
# Append the 2SLS column (linearmodels IV2SLS output) via Stargazer or by hand.IV triplet is intentionally focal: show only Z + endogenous regressor so the reader can eyeball the Wald ratio. Drop keep=["Z"] only if a referee asks for the full coefficient list.#### 5.F Pattern F — Causal-orchestrator main via did::att_gt / synth / econml.DML For DID / SCM / matching mains, the modern Python estimator returns a self-contained estimate + automatic placebos / pre-trends / overlap diagnostics. Pipe into pf.etable via a thin adapter, or use Stargazer directly.
# DML with full diagnostics
from econml.dml import CausalForestDML
dml = CausalForestDML(n_estimators=2000, min_samples_leaf=5)
dml.fit(df["log_wage"], df["training"], X=df[["age","edu","tenure","firm_size"]])
ate = dml.ate(df[["age","edu","tenure","firm_size"]])
ci = dml.ate_interval(df[["age","edu","tenure","firm_size"]])
print(f"DML ATE = {ate:.3f} (95% CI [{ci[0]:.3f}, {ci[1]:.3f}])")#### 5.G Pattern G — Subgroup pf.etable (Table 3, see Step 7) One column per subgroup. Detailed code in §Step 7 — Heterogeneity.
#### 5.H Pattern H — Robustness master (Table A1, see Step 6) Stack every robustness specification next to the baseline. Detailed code in §Step 6.f.
#### Canonical estimator commands (the underlying primitives)
import statsmodels.formula.api as smf
import pyfixest as pf
from linearmodels.iv import IV2SLS
from rdrobust import rdrobust
# 5a. OLS with cluster-robust SEs (use when no FE or just one FE)
ols = smf.ols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure", data=df).fit(
cov_type="cluster", cov_kwds={"groups": df["firm_id"]})
print(ols.summary())
# 5b. Panel FE (unit + time) — reach for pyfixest first; fastest & mirrors R's fixest
fe = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure | worker_id + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1": "worker_id"})
fe.summary()
# 5c. 2×2 DID
did = smf.ols("log_wage ~ treated * post + age + edu", data=df).fit(
cov_type="cluster", cov_kwds={"groups": df["worker_id"]})
# 5d. Event study (dynamic DID, base period = −1)
es = pf.feols("log_wage ~ i(rel_time, ref=-1) | worker_id + year",
data=df, vcov={"CRV1": "worker_id"})
pf.iplot(es)
# 5e. Staggered DID — Callaway–Sant'Anna (via diff-diff) OR Sun–Abraham (via pyfixest interactions)
# See references/05-modeling.md §5.4 for the full staggered DID playbook.
# 5f. IV / 2SLS
iv = IV2SLS.from_formula(
"log_wage ~ 1 + age + edu + [training ~ draft_lottery]", data=df
).fit(cov_type="clustered", clusters=df["firm_id"])
print(iv.first_stage) # first-stage F > 10 (ideally > 104)
print(iv.summary)
# 5g. Sharp RD
rd = rdrobust(y=df["outcome"], x=df["running_var"], c=0,
kernel="triangular", bwselect="mserd")
print(rd)
# 5h. Binary outcome
logit = smf.logit("employed ~ training + age + edu", data=df).fit()
print(logit.summary())
print(logit.get_margeff().summary()) # marginal effects — the interpretable quantityDeeper patterns: references/06-robustness.md — alternative specifications (add/drop controls), subsample splits, alternative clustering levels, alternative outcome definitions, placebo tests (fake treatment / fake timing / permutation), specification curve, Oster δ\*, randomization inference, leave-one-out, winsorization sensitivity.
Every headline result in the paper needs a robustness appendix. The canonical 6:
# 6a. Alternative specifications — progressive controls (M1 → M6)
specs = [
"log_wage ~ training", # M1 raw
"log_wage ~ training + age + edu", # M2 +covariates
"log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure", # M3 +tenure
"log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure | worker_id", # M4 +unit FE
"log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure | worker_id + year", # M5 +time FE
"log_wage ~ training + age + edu + tenure | worker_id + year + industry^year", # M6 +industry×year
]
results = [pf.feols(f, data=df, vcov={"CRV1":"worker_id"}) for f in specs]
pf.etable(results) # side-by-side publication table
# 6b. Alternative cluster levels
for cl in ["worker_id", "firm_id", "industry", "state"]:
r = pf.feols("log_wage ~ training | worker_id+year", data=df, vcov={"CRV1": cl})
print(cl, r.coef()["training"], r.se()["training"])
# 6c. Subsample splits
for col in ["male", "has_college", "high_ten~30 seconds. Free. No account. Every finding cites a rule and a line of evidence.