040067 UK Applied Economics (BA) (2020S)

This group is for students majoring in Economics. Students majoring in Economic History, please attend Mario Holzner's Group.

This is a course in which students will reinforce the tools learned in Introductory Econometrics (BA) by applying them to real world data sets using econometric software. Prior knowledge at the level will be assumed throughout the course. The aim of the course is for students to get hands on experience in analyzing observational data using econometric software and acquire the tools to carry out empirical research projects on their own.

This group is for students majoring in Economics. Students majoring in Economic History, please attend Mario Holzner's group.

This is a course in which students will reinforce the tools learned in Introductory Econometrics (BA) by applying them to real world data sets using econometric software. Prior knowledge at the level will be assumed throughout the course. The aim of the course is for students to get hands on experience in analyzing observational data using econometric software and acquire the tools to carry out empirical research projects on their own.

Abstract: The course introduces the main workhorse of applied empirical research in economics, linear regression by ordinary least squares (OLS). After having taken the course, students should understand and be able to evaluate applied analysis of cross-section data and be able to undertake such analysis themselves. A major focus of the course is on historical data and cliometric research questions. Thus, the course is also relevant for students of economic history interested in quantitative methods. The main output shall be an independent research paper on a data set of own choice. Basic theoretical knowledge as well as computer skills are required.

Outline: Introduction to econometrics and cliometrics; Review of probability and statistics; How to find and handle (historical) economic data; Linear regression with one regressor; Hypothesis testing; Linear regressions with multiple regressors; Introduction to the general-purpose statistical software package STATA; Nonlinear regression functions; Assessing statistical studies; Introduction to instrumental variable regressions; Estimation of popular economic models such as the Cobb-Douglas production function; Introduction to LaTeX; Presentation and discussion of the independent research papers.