Poster
Using Embeddings to Correct for Unobserved Confounding in Networks
Victor Veitch · Yixin Wang · David Blei
East Exhibition Hall B, C #143
Keywords: [ Probabilistic Methods ] [ Causal Inference ] [ Embedding Approaches ] [ Applications -> Network Analysis; Deep Learning ]
We consider causal inference in the presence of unobserved confounding. We study the case where a proxy is available for the unobserved confounding in the form of a network connecting the units. For example, the link structure of a social network carries information about its members. We show how to effectively use the proxy to do causal inference. The main idea is to reduce the causal estimation problem to a semi-supervised prediction of both the treatments and outcomes. Networks admit high-quality embedding models that can be used for this semi-supervised prediction. We show that the method yields valid inferences under suitable (weak) conditions on the quality of the predictive model. We validate the method with experiments on a semi-synthetic social network dataset.
Live content is unavailable. Log in and register to view live content