Courses Master Display 2018-2019

Course Description To PDF
Course title Understanding and Implementing Empirical Methods
Course code EBC4240
ECTS credits 5,0
Assessment None
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
5 15-4-2019 7-6-2019 X X
Level Advanced
Coordinator Thomas Dohmen
For more information: t.dohmen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
The course aims at providing students an understanding of how to design, implement and interpret empirical research in economics. Students will gain knowledge in measuring relevant economic concepts and in identifying causality in economics. Students will learn about available statistical tools and their main differences, so that they are able to judge the internal validity of empirical studies.
Description
The course provides an overview of methodological and practical issues that arise in empirical economics when (i) measuring concepts in the area of learning and work and (ii) estimating causal relationships. The course covers statistical tools to estimate causal relationships in economics using non-experimental (observable) data and psychometric tools for using test data. We review advantages and pitfalls of various identification strategies, and discuss data requirements. In addition to discussing implementation issues, the course puts particularly emphasize on how to justify the technical assumptions in real-life studies. Examples from the economics of education and labour economics will be discussed. At the end of the course, students should be able to judge which methods are most appropriate in different contexts and circumstances and whether the underlying assumptions are fulfilled. Students will be able to assess the internal validity of empirical studies and make statements with respect to their reliability.
Literature
Prerequisites
Empirical methods in Economics (EBC4233) or equivalent.
Keywords
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL / Presentation / Lecture
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Final Paper / Participation / Written Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Master Economics Spec Education and Labour Economics
SBE Exchange Master Master Exchange Courses