Using the Chow Test to Analyze Regression Discontinuities

Abstract

The Chow Test (Chow, 1960) is a method well known in econometrics. It was originally designed to analyze the same variables obtained in two different data sets to determine if they were similar enough to be pooled together. Regression discontinuity design is a variation of the two-group pre-test-post-test design. The usual method of data analysis for data collected using this design is multiple regression with one dummy coded variable representing the cut-off value. This article discusses the use of the Chow Test on data obtained in a regression discontinuity study.