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Estimation and Inference of Discontinuity in Density

Author

Listed:
  • Taisuke Otsu
  • Ke-Li Xu
  • Yukitoshi Matsushita
Abstract
Continuity or discontinuity of probability density functions of data often plays a fundamental role in empirical economic analysis. For example, for identification and inference of causal effects in regression discontinuity designs it is typically assumed that the density function of a conditioning variable is continuous at a cutoff point that determines assignment of a treatment. Also, discontinuity in density functions can be a parameter of economic interest, such as in analysis of bunching behaviors of taxpayers. To facilitate researchers to conduct valid inference for these problems, this article extends the binning and local likelihood approaches to estimate discontinuity of density functions and proposes empirical likelihood-based tests and confidence sets for the discontinuity. In contrast to the conventional Wald-type test and confidence set using the binning estimator, our empirical likelihood-based methods (i) circumvent asymptotic variance estimation to construct the test statistics and confidence sets; (ii) are invariant to nonlinear transformations of the parameters of interest; (iii) offer confidence sets whose shapes are automatically determined by data; and (iv) admit higher-order refinements, so-called Bartlett corrections. First- and second-order asymptotic theories are developed. Simulations demonstrate the superior finite sample behaviors of the proposed methods. In an empirical application, we assess the identifying assumption of no manipulation of class sizes in the regression discontinuity design studied by Angrist and Lavy (1999).

Suggested Citation

  • Taisuke Otsu & Ke-Li Xu & Yukitoshi Matsushita, 2013. "Estimation and Inference of Discontinuity in Density," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 507-524, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jnlbes:v:31:y:2013:i:4:p:507-524
    DOI: 10.1080/07350015.2013.818007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ke-Li Xu & Peter C. B. Phillips, 2011. "Tilted Nonparametric Estimation of Volatility Functions With Empirical Applications," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(4), pages 518-528, October.
    2. Whitney K. Newey & Richard J. Smith, 2004. "Higher Order Properties of Gmm and Generalized Empirical Likelihood Estimators," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 72(1), pages 219-255, January.
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    5. Song Xi Chen & Hengjian Cui, 2006. "On Bartlett correction of empirical likelihood in the presence of nuisance parameters," Biometrika, Biometrika Trust, vol. 93(1), pages 215-220, March.
    6. Lee, David S., 2008. "Randomized experiments from non-random selection in U.S. House elections," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 675-697, February.
    7. Imbens, Guido W. & Lemieux, Thomas, 2008. "Regression discontinuity designs: A guide to practice," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 615-635, February.
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    9. Davidson, Russell & MacKinnon, James G, 1998. "Graphical Methods for Investigating the Size and Power of Hypothesis Tests," The Manchester School of Economic & Social Studies, University of Manchester, vol. 66(1), pages 1-26, January.
    10. McCrary, Justin, 2008. "Manipulation of the running variable in the regression discontinuity design: A density test," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 698-714, February.
    11. Joshua D. Angrist & Victor Lavy, 1999. "Using Maimonides' Rule to Estimate the Effect of Class Size on Scholastic Achievement," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(2), pages 533-575.
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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