  We consider parameter estimation, hypothesis testing and variable selection
for partially time-varying coefficient models. Our asymptotic theory has the
useful feature that it can allow dependent, nonstationary error and covariate
processes. With a two-stage method, the parametric component can be estimated
with a $n^{1/2}$-convergence rate. A simulation-assisted hypothesis testing
procedure is proposed for testing significance and parameter constancy. We
further propose an information criterion that can consistently select the true
set of significant predictors. Our method is applied to autoregressive models
with time-varying coefficients. Simulation results and a real data application
are provided.
