Propensity score matching in SPSS

TL;DR

This paper introduces a user-friendly SPSS tool for implementing propensity score matching, facilitating causal inference in social science research without requiring specialized software.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive SPSS implementation of propensity score matching with a graphical interface and detailed diagnostic outputs.

Findings

Enables easy application of propensity score matching in SPSS

Supports various matching options like calipers and replacement

Produces detailed balance diagnostics

Abstract

Propensity score matching is a tool for causal inference in non-randomized studies that allows for conditioning on large sets of covariates. The use of propensity scores in the social sciences is currently experiencing a tremendous increase; however it is far from a commonly used tool. One impediment towards a more wide-spread use of propensity score methods is the reliance on specialized software, because many social scientists still use SPSS as their main analysis tool. The current paper presents an implementation of various propensity score matching methods in SPSS. Specifically the presented SPSS custom dialog allows researchers to specify propensity score methods using the familiar point-and-click interface. The software allows estimation of the propensity score using logistic regression and specifying nearest-neighbor matching with many options, e.g., calipers, region of common support, matching with and without replacement, and matching one to many units. Detailed balance statistics and graphs are produced by the program.