òòò½Íø Review
ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)
Machine Learning Methods for Demand Estimation
òòò½Íø Review
(pp. 481–85)
Abstract
We survey and apply several techniques from the statistical and computer science literature to the problem of demand estimation. To improve out-of-sample prediction accuracy, we propose a method of combining the underlying models via linear regression. Our method is robust to a large number of regressors; scales easily to very large data sets; combines model selection and estimation; and can flexibly approximate arbitrary non-linear functions. We illustrate our method using a standard scanner panel data set and find that our estimates are considerably more accurate in out-of-sample predictions of demand than some commonly used alternatives.Citation
Bajari, Patrick, Denis Nekipelov, Stephen P. Ryan, and Miaoyu Yang. 2015. "Machine Learning Methods for Demand Estimation." òòò½Íø Review 105 (5): 481–85. DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20151021Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C20 Single Equation Models; Single Variables: General
- C52 Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
- C55 Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness