A Simple Test for Heteroscedasticity and Random Coefficient Variation

A simple test for heteroscedastic disturbances in a linear regression model is developed using the framework of the Lagrangian multiplier test. For a wide range of heteroscedastic and random coefficient specifications, the criterion is given as a readily computed function of the OLS residuals. Some finite sample evidence is presented to supplement the general asymptotic properties of Lagrangian multiplier tests.