Course 2024-2025 a.y.

30284 - EMPIRICAL METHODS FOR ECONOMICS (INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS)

Department of Economics

Course taught in English

Student consultation hours
Class timetable
Exam timetable
Go to class group/s: 31
CLEAM (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - CLEF (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - WBB (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - BIEF (6 credits - I sem. - OBCUR  |  SECS-P/05) - BIEM (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - BIG (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - BEMACS (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05) - BAI (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/05)
Course Director:
MICHELE FIORETTI

Classes: 31 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: MICHELE FIORETTI


Suggested background knowledge

For all students: the econometric methods covered in the course rely on familiarity with basic statistical concepts, including the following: random variable, distribution of a random variable, expectation and variance of a random variable, basic properties of probabilities and expectations (e.g., law of total probabilities, law of iterated expectations).

PREREQUISITES

Only for BIEF students: the exam code 30001 Statistics is a prerequisite of the exam Empirical methods for economics.

Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

Econometrics is the art of taking a theoretical economic model and placing it into a statistical framework where data is used for the purposes of prediction, measurement, and/or testing of economic theory. One of the most popular statistical frameworks in econometrics is the linear regression model. It has been (and continues to be) the most common starting point in econometric studies. Knowledge of the linear regression model and its extensions is essential for doing empirical work in economics, business, and other social sciences. The main goals of this course are: (i) to give students a working knowledge of the most important aspects of the linear regression model; (ii) to provide students with basic tools needed to understand and critically interpret empirical research conducted by others as well as to plan and conduct empirical analyses of their own using economic data. The key concepts of the underlying statistical theory is covered, but major emphasis is placed on application of the theory from a practical standpoint. As part of the course, students also receive an introduction on how to conduct empirical analysis of economic data using Stata, a statistical software package.

CONTENT SUMMARY

  • Introduction to econometrics. (What is Econometrics?; Steps in empirical economic analysis; The structure of economic data; Causality and the notion of ceteris paribus in econometric analysis)
  • Simple regression model. (Definition; Multiple ways of deriving the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimates; Properties of OLS in any sample of data)
  • Multiple regression analysis: Estimation. (Motivation for multiple regression; Mechanics and interpretation of OLS; Expected value and variance of OLS estimator; Gauss-Markov Theorem and Efficiency of OLS estimator)
  • Multiple regression analysis: Inference. (Distribution of OLS estimator in finite samples)
  • Confidence intervals; Tests of simple and multiple hypotheses about population parameters)
  • Multiple regression analysis: OLS asymptotics. (Properties of OLS estimator in infinite samples)
  • Multiple regression analysis with qualitative information: Dummy variables. (Use of dummy explanatory variables and their interactions to the aims of incorporating qualitative or ordinal information in regression analysis and of performing tests of hypothesis and policy analysis involving comparisons of groups. Dummy dependent variables and the linear probability model)
  • Heteroskedasticity of known and unknown forms. (Heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors; Weighted Least Squares (WLS) estimation; Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) estimation)
  • Pooling cross sections across time: Simple panel data methods. (Differences-in-Differences; First Differencing)
  • Instrumental variables (IV) estimation and Two stages least squares (2SLS)
  • [Time permitting] Limited dependent variable (LDV) models with binary dependent variables. (Logit and Probit; Maximum Likelihood Estimation)

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Define key concepts in econometrics, for instance “econometric model”; “random sample;” “ceteris paribus;” “counterfactual;” “causal effect;” “exogeneity/endogeneity;” “homoskedasticity/heteroskedasticity;” “restricted/unrestricted model;” “finite-sample/asymptotic bias;” “omitted variables bias;” “dummy variable trap.”
  • Explain key differences and links between distinct but related econometric concepts, for instance “econometric model and estimation method;” “population and sample;” “population parameter, estimator, and estimate;” “correlation and causal effect;” “error term and residual;” “point estimate and confidence interval;” “significance level and critical value;” “proxy variable and instrumental variable.”
  • Recognize different types of econometric data among: cross sections, time series, pooled cross sections, and panel/longitudinal data. Explain their differences and similarities.
  • State the assumptions of the classical linear regression model and explain their roles within the Gauss-Markov Theorem. Name and discuss the main consequence(s) of the failure of each assumption, illustrating with specific microeconomic examples or applications.
  • Describe different ways of deriving and interpreting the OLS estimators (estimates) for the parameters of a linear regression model, among: Minimizing the sum of the squared residuals; Method of moments & Sample analog principle; Maximizing the likelihood function.   
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different econometric strategies used to identify and estimate causal effects, including: Differences-in-Differences; First differences; Instrumental Variables.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Apply simple and multiple regression analysis to quantify relationships among economic variables of interest and to test simple and joint hypotheses about such relationships.
  • Assess the statistical and economic significance of estimated relationships among economic variables.
  • Perform simple analysis of bias to assess whether estimated relationships among economic variables may be interpreted as ceteris paribus (causal) effects and, if not, to assess the likely direction of the bias. 
  • Interpret and critically assess empirical findings presented by others based on regression analysis of economic data.
  • Incorporate dummy variables and their interactions into regression analysis to test stability of regression parameters across different groups or time periods.
  • Choose and apply the appropriate econometric strategy among those covered in class (e.g., Differences-in-Differences, First Differences, Instrumental Variables) to quantify causal effects among economic variables, taking in to account the characteristic features of the application and of the available data.
  • Evaluate the causal effects of policy interventions/programs using simple econometric tools such as Differences-in-Differences or Instrumental Variables methods.
  • Interact in a constructive way and think critically.

Teaching methods

  • Practical Exercises
  • Collaborative Works / Assignments

DETAILS

The learning experience of the course includes:

  • Face-to-face lectures, introducing and illustrating the main topics of the course.
  • Interactive in-class discussions around stylized microeconomic applications, particularly on specific aspects of their implementation and interpretation, where students are encouraged to bring their own contributions and share their insights.
  • (Close to exam dates) Collective office hours devoted to solution in class of homework exercises assigned to students throughout the course. (The latter gives students the opportunity to practice on their own by applying the methodological and analytical tools covered in the course to a variety of microeconomic and policy-relevant applications.)

Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
  x x

ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

To the end of measuring the acquisition of the above-mentioned learning outcomes, the students’ assessment is based on a written exam.

  • The exam consists of a mix of open questions, multiple-choice questions, and applied exercises. The first tests students’ understanding of, and ability to explain in their own words and yet rigorously, key econometric concepts and their relationships. The second further tests student’s familiarity with the language of econometrics as well as with concepts and tools commonly used to carry out and/or interpret empirical economic analysis. The third assesses students’ ability to carry out and interpret results from empirical econometric work.
  • Students can take a partial written exam (first partial) and complete the written exam at the end of the course (second partial). In this case, the weights are:  50% for the first partial and 50% for the second partial. Alternatively, students can take a final written exam (general) that accounts for 100% of the final grade.
  • group assignment: it is optional and it is worth up to 1,5 extra points to add to the final grade. It consists in writing a short report on an empirical paper. 

Teaching materials


ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

The main course material for both attending and non-attending students is:

  • J.M. WOOLDRIDGE, Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach (2012 or any subsequent edition).
  • The slides of the course, problem sets, and additional support material are uploaded to the BBoard platform of the course.
Last change 23/05/2024 14:42