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When Is Parallel Trends Sensitive to Functional Form?

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  • Jonathan Roth
  • Pedro H. C. Sant'Anna

Abstract

This paper assesses when the validity of difference‐in‐differences depends on functional form. We provide a novel characterization: the parallel trends assumption holds under all strictly monotonic transformations of the outcome if and only if a stronger “parallel trends”‐type condition holds for the cumulative distribution function of untreated potential outcomes. This condition for parallel trends to be insensitive to functional form is satisfied if and essentially only if the population can be partitioned into a subgroup for which treatment is effectively randomly assigned and a remaining subgroup for which the distribution of untreated potential outcomes is stable over time. These conditions have testable implications, and we introduce falsification tests for the null that parallel trends is insensitive to functional form.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Roth & Pedro H. C. Sant'Anna, 2023. "When Is Parallel Trends Sensitive to Functional Form?," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(2), pages 737-747, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:emetrp:v:91:y:2023:i:2:p:737-747
    DOI: 10.3982/ECTA19402
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    1. Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C. & Zhao, Jun, 2020. "Doubly robust difference-in-differences estimators," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 219(1), pages 101-122.
    2. Susan Athey & Guido W. Imbens, 2006. "Identification and Inference in Nonlinear Difference-in-Differences Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 74(2), pages 431-497, March.
    3. Stéphane Bonhomme & Ulrich Sauder, 2011. "Recovering Distributions in Difference-in-Differences Models: A Comparison of Selective and Comprehensive Schooling," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(2), pages 479-494, May.
    4. Brantly Callaway & Tong Li, 2019. "Quantile treatment effects in difference in differences models with panel data," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 10(4), pages 1579-1618, November.
    5. Douglas Almond & Hilary W. Hoynes & Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, 2011. "Inside the War on Poverty: The Impact of Food Stamps on Birth Outcomes," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(2), pages 387-403, May.
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