13.4 Estimation: Continuity-Based Approach

  • Uses nonparametric methods to approximate the unknown regression functions
    • Assumption: Continuity = continuous around the cutoff
    • Relies on extrapolation: We use observations near x0 to infer the effect exactly at x0
  • Local polynomial point estimation: Estimate regression functions within bandwith (around score)
    • This estimation approach is nonparametric because it does not assume a particular parametric form of the regression functions (just fit a curve to the data)
    • See Skovron and Titiunik (2015), 13-14 for steps.

References

Skovron, Christopher, and Rocıo Titiunik. 2015. “A Practical Guide to Regression Discontinuity Designs in Political Science.”