In this paper, we develop a modified maximum likelihood (MML) estimator for the multiple linear regression model with underlying student t distribution. We obtain the closed form of the estimators, derive the asymptotic properties, and demonstrate that the MML estimator is more appropriate for...

This study replicates the empirical findings of Toya and Skidmore (2007), hereinaf¬ter “TS”, and performs a variety of robustness checks. We are able to exactly replicate the find¬ings reported by TS. Our robustness checks consist of two parts. Firstly, we update TS’s orig¬in¬al data...

We derive general distribution tests based on the method of Maximum Entropy density. The proposed tests are derived from maximizing the di®erential entropy subject to moment constraints. By exploiting the equivalence between the Maximum Entropy and Maximum Likelihood estimates of the general...

A common practice in applied econometrics consists of replacing a suspected endogenous variable with its lagged values. This note demonstrates that lagging an endogen¬ous variable does not enable one to escape simultaneity bias. The associated estimates are still inconsistent, and hypothesis...

A common practice in applied economics research consists of replacing a suspected simultaneously-determined explanatory variable with its lagged value. This note demonstrates that this practice does not enable one to avoid simultaneity bias. The associated estimates are still inconsistent, and...

This paper replicates and analyses a study by Hoover and Pecorino (2005) on federal spending in US states. H&P followed on path-breaking research by Atlas et al. (1995) in which evidence was claimed in favour of the “small state effect;” namely, that since every state is represented by two...

This paper replicates and analyses a study by Hoover and Pecorino on Federal spending in US states (Hoover and Pecorino, 2005; henceforth H&P). H&P followed on path-breaking research by Atlas et al. (1995) in which evidence was claimed in favour of the “small state effect;” namely, that since...