Journal of Economic Literature Vol. 63 No. 2 2025
Examiner and Judge Designs in Economics: A Practitioner’s Guide
Abstract
This article provides empirical researchers with an introduction and guide to research designs based on variation in judge and examiner tendencies to administer treatments or other interventions. We review the basic theory behind this research design, outline the assumptions under which the design identifies causal effects, describe empirical tests of the conditions for identification, and discuss trade-offs associated with choices researchers must make for estimation. We demonstrate concepts and best practices in an empirical case study that uses an examiner tendency research design to study the effects of pretrial detention.
- DOI
- 10.1257/jel.20241719
- Volume
- 63
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 401-439
- Language
- en
- Sources
- bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref