Description
distance = runningVariable-cutoff; treated uses >= when equalityTreated, otherwise >; insideBandwidth = abs(distance) <= bandwidth.
Cutoff and event-study calculations need explicit treatment timing, reference categories and boundary rules. A numerical selection flag or before-after contrast is not evidence that the identifying assumptions for causal inference hold.
distance = runningVariable-cutoff; treated uses >= when equalityTreated, otherwise >; insideBandwidth = abs(distance) <= bandwidth.
When to use this tool
Use Regression Discontinuity Cutoff Distance Term when checking a supplied cutoff, event-time or group-time contrast.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter runningVariable, cutoff, bandwidth, equalityTreated. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read distance, treated, insideBandwidth. Inspect treated, insideBandwidth before interpreting the associated values.
Require nonnegative bandwidth. distance = runningVariable-cutoff; treated uses >= when equalityTreated, otherwise >; insideBandwidth = abs(distance) <= bandwidth.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| runningVariable | Running Variable | Required. Finite number. |
| cutoff | Cutoff | Required. Finite number. |
| bandwidth | Bandwidth | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| equalityTreated | Equality Treated | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| distance | Distance | Required. Finite number. |
| treated | Treated | Required. Boolean. |
| insideBandwidth | Inside Bandwidth | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"runningVariable": 52,
"cutoff": 50,
"bandwidth": 5,
"equalityTreated": true
},
"output": {
"distance": 2,
"treated": true,
"insideBandwidth": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Treatment and bandwidth are separate supplied rules. This does not establish actual assignment, regression-discontinuity identification, bandwidth choice or a causal effect.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the appropriate research design and full estimator to assess comparability, treatment assignment and causal assumptions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Local Window Cutoff Equality Policy
distance = runningVariable-cutoff.
- Regression Discontinuity Running Variable Center
Center an explicit running variable and apply a supplied cutoff equality convention without choosing an RD bandwidth or identifying a causal effect.