The evaluation of competing analysis strategies based on estimator bias and variance is demonstrated using gains in standard scores and analysis of covariance procedures for quasi-experiments conforming to the fan-spread hypothesis. The findings do not lead to a uniform recommendation of either approach. (Author/JKS)

The regression-discontinuity design (RDD) offers the possibility of making inferences about causal effects from observations on selected groups. Data from such a design are considered to have a truncated bivariate distribution. For the RDD, maximum likelihood parameter estimation procedures and tests of hypotheses are presented. (Author/BW)