Doubly Robust Quadratic Inference Functions for Causal Inference in Cluster Randomized Trials
集群随机试验因果推断的双重稳健二次推断函数
Quadratic inference functions (QIF) provide a robust and efficient alternative to generalized estimating equations (GEE) for marginal regression with correlated data, particularly in cluster randomized trials (CRTs). However, existing QIF methodology does not account for confounding due to covariate imbalance between treatment arms, a common concern in observational CRTs or CRTs with prognostic covariate adjustment. We propose a doubly robust QIF (DR-QIF) estimator that…