Dr Vassilis Hajivassiliou 32L.4.23, Prof Danny Quah TW1 10.01A and Prof Mark Schankerman 32L.4.30

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme) and MSc in Quantitative Economic History. This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy and MSc in Economics and Philosophy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Students must have completed Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (EC400).

Students should have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent in Economics and EC400 (Introductory course in Mathematics and Statistics).

The course aims to present and illustrate the techniques of empirical investigation in economics.

1. Regression models with fixed regressors (simple and multiple). Least squares and other estimation methods. Goodness of fit and hypothesis testing.

2. Regression models with stochastic regressors.

3. Asymptotic Theory and its application to the regression model.

4. The partitioned regression model, multicollinearity, misspecification, omitted and added variables.

5. Heteroskedasticity and Generalized Least Squares.

6. Measurement Errors and Instrumental Variables.

7. An example of the omitted variable problem. The omission of ability in the determination of the rate of return of schooling.

8. Estimating causal effects in panel data: Diff-in Diff estimator

9. Panel data and static models: fixed and random effect estimators, specification tests, measurement error

10. Panel data and dynamic models: Arellano-Bond estimator, generalised method of moments

11. Serial Correlation

12. Vector Autoregression

13. Unit roots and cointegration

30 hours of lectures and 8 hours of classes in the MT. 30 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of classes in the ST.

Exercises are provided each week and are discussed in classes. In order to have any chance of completing the course successfully, these exercises must be attempted. Special test exercises will be set at three points during the year. These will be carefully marked and the results made available.

J Johnston & J diNardo, Econometric Methods (4th edn) or W H Greene, Econometric Analysis (6th edn), James D. Hamilton, Time Series Analysis (1994), J Wooldridge, Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data (2002), J Angrist and J Pischke, Mostly Harmless Econometrics (2009)

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.