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New multivariate tests for assessing covariate balance in matched observational studies
Author(s) -
Chen Hao,
Small Dylan S.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
biometrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.298
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1541-0420
pISSN - 0006-341X
DOI - 10.1111/biom.13395
Subject(s) - covariate , multivariate statistics , observational study , statistics , permutation (music)
We propose new tests for assessing whether covariates in a treatment group and matched control group are balanced in observational studies. The tests exhibit high power under a wide range of multivariate alternatives, some of which existing tests have little power for. The asymptotic permutation null distributions of the proposed tests are studied and the P ‐values calculated through the asymptotic results work well in simulation studies, facilitating the application of the test to large data sets. The tests are illustrated in a study of the effect of smoking on blood lead levels. The proposed tests are implemented in an R package BalanceCheck .