I enhance the interpretability of the Random Forest (RF) by examining whether incorporating Fixed Effects (FEs) improves its predictive accuracy. I find that the RF performs worst without FEs, while its accuracy increases when FEs are included in the training sample. This improvement stems not from a reduction in period dummies but from FEs mitigating data heterogeneity. These results provide empirical evidence that incorporating FEs reduces noise, enhancing the predictive performance of the RF.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

The Unbearable Lightness of Fixed Effects: Can They Enhance The Random Forest?

  • Costanza Bosone

摘要

I enhance the interpretability of the Random Forest (RF) by examining whether incorporating Fixed Effects (FEs) improves its predictive accuracy. I find that the RF performs worst without FEs, while its accuracy increases when FEs are included in the training sample. This improvement stems not from a reduction in period dummies but from FEs mitigating data heterogeneity. These results provide empirical evidence that incorporating FEs reduces noise, enhancing the predictive performance of the RF.