The Applied Biostatistical Sciences (ABS) Network is hosting a lecture with Rodney A. Hayward, M.D. who will talk about Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) – Concept, Application & Health Research.  Dr. Hayward is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Health Management and Policy; Director of the National Clinician Scholars Program; and Senior Investigator at the VA HSR & D Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) is an analysis technique for observational data.  RDD is used to evaluate the impact of an intervention or policy change by splitting a covariate at a threshold above or below which an intervention is assigned.  Dr. Hayward will discuss the theory behind RDD, diagnostic plots, and a practical example to demonstrate how RDD can be useful to health researchers.