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van der Klaauw, B. and Koning, R. (2003). Testing the normality assumption in the sample selection model with an application to travel demand Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, 21:31--42.


  • Journal
    Journal of Business and Economic Statistics

In this article we introduce a test for the normality assumption in the sample selection model. The test is based on a flexible parametric specification of the density function of the error terms in the model. This specification follows a Hermite series with bivariate normality as a special case. All parameters of the model are estimated both under normality and under the more general flexible parametric specification, which enables testing for normality using a standard likelihood ratio test. If normality is rejected, then the flexible parametric specification provides consistent parameter estimates. The test has reasonable power, as is shown by a simulation study. The test also detects some types of ignored heteroscedasticity. Finally, we apply the flexible specification of the density to a travel demand model and test for normality in this model.