In potential outcome notation, a valid instrument requires:
- Instrumental-variable independence: , strengthened to all relevant joint potential outcomes as needed. Coin flipping makes the incentive assignment independent of quitting behavior and blood pressure under either assignment.
- Exclusion restriction: . The incentive can affect blood pressure only by changing whether the subject quits, not through stress, income, or another direct route.
- Instrument relevance: , or at least . The monetary incentive must change quitting probability.
- Consistency of potential outcomes and no interference: observed quitting and blood pressure equal the potential values under the assigned encouragement and received exposure, and one subject's assignment does not affect another's outcome.
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