Estimating and using propensity score analysis with complex samples

Propensity score analysis is one statistical technique that can be applied to observational data to mimic randomization and thus can be used to estimate causal effects in studies in which the researchers have not applied randomization. In this article the authors (a) describe propensity score methodology and (b) demonstrate its application using elementary student data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K). The authors also discuss methodological considerations that need to be addressed when using data from complex samples as in this analysis. Furthermore, the authors provide a tutorial that can be used by researchers to understand the methodology behind and to emulate the steps of conducting propensity score analysis.