Econometrics
Course Description
Summary
This course introduces students to econometric approaches to asking and answering questions about the economy relating to employment, health, and well-being. The primary aim of the course is to understand how economists analyze data to determine causal effect. We will analyze data sets to ask and answer socioeconomic questions such as: What factors affect a person鈥檚 income, and how do we know? How might we investigate the main causes of unemployment? How can we identify the underlying causes of and potential solutions for regional variations in healthcare access and outcomes? Students will learn how to run regressions using the Stata statistical software package. Though we will primarily work with cross-sectional data, students will also gain exposure to time series and panel data. We will think critically about the quantitative methods that we practice, evaluating their strengths, limitations, and intellectual history. No math experience beyond a high school level of algebra is required for the course.
(Please note: Students who have taken 鈥淢etrics of Prosperity: Data Analysis for Health, Well-being, and the Economy鈥 and/or 鈥淢etrics of Prosperity II: Labor Markets鈥 already will not be able to enroll in this course).
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how economists think about causality and science.
- Gather data, run regressions, and interpret results using the software program Stata.
- Evaluate the benefits and limits of econometric approaches to analyzing data.
- Build foundations for further study in statistics, econometrics, and other quantitative research.
- Practice critical thinking within a supportive learning community.