Kernel Debiased Plug-in Estimation based on the Universal Least Favorable Submodel
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Abstract (arXiv)
We propose ULFS-KDPE, a kernel debiased plug-in estimator based on the universal least favorable submodel, for estimating pathwise differentiable parameters in nonparametric models. The method constructs a data-adaptive debiasing flow in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), producing a plug-in estimator that achieves semiparametric efficiency without requiring explicit derivation or evaluation of efficient influence functions. We place ULFS-KDPE on a rigorous functional-analytic foundation by formulating the universal least favorable update as a nonlinear ordinary differential equation on probability densities. We establish existence, uniqueness, stability, and finite-time convergence of the empirical score along the induced flow. Under standard regularity conditions, the resulting estimator is regular, asymptotically linear, and attains the semiparametric efficiency bound simultaneously for a broad class of pathwise differentiable parameters. The method admits a computationally tractable implementation based on finite-dimensional kernel representations and principled stopping criteria. In finite samples, the combination of solving a rich collection of score equations with RKHS-based smoothing and avoidance of direct influence-function evaluation leads to improved numerical stability. Simulation studies illustrate the method and support the theoretical results.
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References · 6
- 2016XGBoost: A Scalable Tree Boosting Systemcited by 5,120
- 2017Double/Debiased/Neyman Machine Learning of Treatment Effectscited by 76
- 2019Efficient Estimation of Pathwise Differentiable Target Parameters with the Undersmoothed Highly Adaptive Lassocited by 12
- 2023Kernel Debiased Plug-in Estimation: Simultaneous, Automated Debiasing without Influence Functions for Many Target Parameterscited by 5
- 2025Automatic Debiased Machine Learning for Smooth Functionals of Nonparametric M-Estimandscited by 5
- 2024Automated Efficient Estimation using Monte Carlo Efficient Influence Functionscited by 4
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