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Estimation, Inference, and Interpretation in the Regression Discontinuity Design

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  • Blaise Melly
  • Rafael Lalive

Abstract

The Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) has proven to be a compelling and transparent research design to estimate treatment effects. We provide a review of the main assumptions and key challenges faced when adopting an RDD. We cover the most recent developments and advanced methods, and provide the key intuitions that underlie the statistical arguments. Among others, we summarize new insights that we consider to be highly relevant about the choice of bandwidth, optimal inference, discrete running variables, distributional effects, estimation in the presence of covariates, and the regression kink design. We also show how structural parameters can be estimated by combining an RDD identification strategy with theoretical models. We illustrate the procedures by applying them to data and we provide codes to replicate the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Blaise Melly & Rafael Lalive, 2020. "Estimation, Inference, and Interpretation in the Regression Discontinuity Design," Diskussionsschriften dp2016, Universitaet Bern, Departement Volkswirtschaft.
    • Handle: RePEc:ube:dpvwib:dp2016
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    2. Kopytok, V., 2022. "Unemployment benefits and duration of registered unemployment in Russia: Regression kink design," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 54(2), pages 156-175.

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