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Nonlinear and Nonseparable Structural Functions in Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Designs

Haitian Xie

arXiv 18 Apr 2022 · Econometrics

arXiv:2204.08168 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

Many empirical examples of regression discontinuity (RD) designs concern a continuous treatment variable, but the theoretical aspects of such models are less studied. This study examines the identification and estimation of the structural function in fuzzy RD designs with a continuous treatment variable. The structural function fully describes the causal impact of the treatment on the outcome. We show that the nonlinear and nonseparable structural function can be nonparametrically identified at the RD cutoff under shape restrictions, including monotonicity and smoothness conditions. Based on the nonparametric identification equation, we propose a three-step semiparametric estimation procedure and establish the asymptotic normality of the estimator. The semiparametric estimator achieves the same convergence rate as in the case of a binary treatment variable. As an application of the method, we estimate the causal effect of sleep time on health status by using the discontinuity in natural light timing at time zone boundaries.

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114
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Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Hahn, J., P. Todd, and W. Van der Klaauw (2001) Identification and estimation of treatment effects with a regression-discontinuity design1.00064100%
2Dong, Y., Y.-Y. Lee, and M. Gou (2021) Regression discontinuity designs with a continuous treatment0.9416383%
3Matzkin, R. L (2003) Nonparametric estimation of nonadditive random functions0.92843100%
4Giuntella, O. and F. Mazzonna (2019) Sunset time and the economic effects of social jetlag: evidence from us time zone borders0.87452100%
5Torgovitsky, A (2017) Minimum distance from independence estimation of nonseparable instrumental variables models0.8435460%
6Torgovitsky, A (2015) Identification of nonseparable models using instruments with small support0.81142100%
7Qu, Z. and J. Yoon (2015) Nonparametric estimation and inference on conditional quantile processes0.6444250%
8Dong, Y (2018) Alternative assumptions to identify late in fuzzy regression discontinuity designs0.64422100%
9Hoderlein, S. and E. Mammen (2007) Identification of marginal effects in nonseparable models without monotonicity0.64422100%
10Imbens, G. W. and W. K. Newey (2009) Identification and estimation of triangular simultaneous equations models without additivity0.64422100%

Showing the top 10 of 54 scored citations.