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Manipulation Test for Multidimensional RDD

Federico Crippa

arXiv 16 Feb 2024 · Econometrics · publishedJournal of Applied Econometrics (2025) · 1 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:2402.10836 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

The causal inference model proposed by Lee (2008) for the regression discontinuity design (RDD) relies on assumptions that imply the continuity of the density of the assignment (running) variable. The test for this implication is commonly referred to as the manipulation test and is regularly reported in applied research to strengthen the design's validity. The multidimensional RDD (MRDD) extends the RDD to contexts where treatment assignment depends on several running variables. This paper introduces a manipulation test for the MRDD. First, it develops a theoretical model for causal inference with the MRDD, used to derive a testable implication on the conditional marginal densities of the running variables. Then, it constructs the test for the implication based on a quadratic form of a vector of statistics separately computed for each marginal density. Finally, the proposed test is compared with alternative procedures commonly employed in applied research.

Citation extraction

35
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87
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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
1Frey, A (2019) Cash transfers, clientelism, and political enfranchisement: Evidence from brazil1.00094100%
2McCrary, J (2008) Manipulation of the running variable in the regression discontinuity design: A density test0.92843100%
3Lee, D. S (2008) Randomized experiments from non-random selection in us house elections0.88810670%
4Cattaneo, M. D., M. Jansson, and X. Ma (2020) Simple local polynomial density estimators0.86011564%
5Imbens, G. and T. Zajonc (2009) Regression discontinuity design with vector-argument assignment rules0.7373367%
6Bugni, F. A. and I. A. Canay (2021) Testing continuity of a density via g-order statistics in the regression discontinuity design0.73732100%
7Egger, P. H. and G. Wamser (2015) The impact of controlled foreign company legislation on real investments abroad. a multi-dimensional regression discontinuity de…0.73732100%
8Evans, B. J (2017) Smart money: Do financial incentives encourage college students to study science?0.73732100%
9Londoño-Vélez, J., C. Rodrǵuez, and F. Sánchez (2020) Upstream and downstream impacts of college merit-based financial aid for low-income students: Ser pilo paga in colombia0.73732100%
10Becht, M., A. Polo, and S. Rossi (2016) Does mandatory shareholder voting prevent bad acquisitions?0.64422100%

Showing the top 10 of 35 scored citations.

Cited by, within the corpus

arXiv econ.EM papers that cite this one, ranked by how heavily they lean on it.

Citing paperIntensityMentionsSections
1Global Testing in Multivariate Regression Discontinuity Designs0.64422