Dr Vassilis Hajivassiliou 32L.4.23, Prof Mark Schankerman 32L.4.30 and Dr Tatiana Komarova 32L.4.24

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, MPhil/PhD in Accounting 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 also have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent in Economics and an introductory course in Econometrics.

In very exceptional circumstances, students may take this course without EC400 provided they meet the necessary requirements and have received approval from the course conveners (via a face to face meeting), the MSc Economics Programme Director and their own Programme Director. Contact the Department of Economics for more information (econ.msc@lse.ac.uk).

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

• Regression models with fixed regressors (simple and multiple). Least squares and other estimation methods. Goodness of fit and hypothesis testing.
• Regression models with stochastic regressors.
• Asymptotic theory and its application to the regression model. Large sample approximations.
• The partitioned regression model, multicollinearity, misspecification, omitted and added variables, measurement errors.
• Heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, and generalized least squares.
• Exogeneity, endogeneity, and instrumental variables.
• An introduction to nonlinear regression modelling.
• Autoregressive and moving average representations of time series. Stationarity and invertibility.
• Vector auto-regressions.
• Unit roots and co-integration.
• Estimating causal effects in panel data: differences in difference estimator, matching methods, and regression discontinuity.
• Panel data and static models: fixed and random effect estimators, specification tests, measurement errors.
• Panel data and dynamic models: generalized method of moments.
• Binary choice models with heterogeneity.

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

Two marked assignments per term. 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 (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the LT week 0.
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.