Difference-in-Discontinuities: Estimation, Inference and Validity Tests

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Picchetti, Pedro, Pinto, Cristine C. X., Shinoki, Stephanie T.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Picchetti, Pedro
Pinto, Cristine C. X.
Shinoki, Stephanie T.
author_facet Picchetti, Pedro
Pinto, Cristine C. X.
Shinoki, Stephanie T.
contents This paper provides a formal econometric framework behind the newly developed difference-in-discontinuities design (DiDC). Despite its increasing use in applied research, there are currently limited studies of its properties. We formalize the theory behind the difference-in-discontinuity approach by stating the identification assumptions, proposing a nonparametric estimator, and deriving its asymptotic properties. We also provide comprehensive tests for one of the identification assumption of the DiDC and sensitivity analysis methods that allow researchers to evaluate the robustness of DiDC estimates under violations of the identifying assumptions. Monte Carlo simulation studies show that the estimators have desirable finite-sample properties. Finally, we revisit Grembi et al. (2016), which studies the effects of relaxing fiscal rules on public finance outcomes. Our results show that most of the qualitative takeaways of the original work are robust to time-varying confounding effects.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2405_18531
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Difference-in-Discontinuities: Estimation, Inference and Validity Tests
Picchetti, Pedro
Pinto, Cristine C. X.
Shinoki, Stephanie T.
Econometrics
Applications
This paper provides a formal econometric framework behind the newly developed difference-in-discontinuities design (DiDC). Despite its increasing use in applied research, there are currently limited studies of its properties. We formalize the theory behind the difference-in-discontinuity approach by stating the identification assumptions, proposing a nonparametric estimator, and deriving its asymptotic properties. We also provide comprehensive tests for one of the identification assumption of the DiDC and sensitivity analysis methods that allow researchers to evaluate the robustness of DiDC estimates under violations of the identifying assumptions. Monte Carlo simulation studies show that the estimators have desirable finite-sample properties. Finally, we revisit Grembi et al. (2016), which studies the effects of relaxing fiscal rules on public finance outcomes. Our results show that most of the qualitative takeaways of the original work are robust to time-varying confounding effects.
title Difference-in-Discontinuities: Estimation, Inference and Validity Tests
topic Econometrics
Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.18531