Lagrange Multiplier Tests in Applied Research

Abstract

Applied research requires the usage of the proper statistics for hypothesis testing. Constrained optimization problems provide a framework that enables the researcher to build a statistic that fits his data and hypothesis at hand. In this paper I show some of the necessary conditions to obtain a Lagrange Multiplier test as well as some popular applications in order to highlight the usefulness of the test when the researcher must rely in asymptotic theory and to help the reader in the construction of a test in applied work.