Inference in nonparametric/semiparametric moment equality models with shape restrictions

Abstract

This paper studies the inference problem of an infinite‐dimensional parameter with a shape restriction. This parameter is identified by arbitrarily many unconditional moment equalities. The shape restriction leads to a convex restriction set. I propose a test of the shape restriction, which controls size uniformly and applies to both point‐identified and partially identified models. The test can be inverted to construct confidence sets after imposing the shape restriction. Monte Carlo experiments show the finite‐sample properties of this method. In an empirical illustration, I apply the method to ascending auctions held by the US Forest Service and show that imposing shape restrictions can significantly improve inference. Nonparametric/semiparametric models partial identification shape restrictions unconditional moments C12 C14