EC338-15 Econometrics 2: Microeconometrics

Department: Economics
Level: Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader: Manuel Bagues
Credit value: 15
Module duration: 10 weeks
Assessment: Multiple
Study location: University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

Module aims

The aim of the module is to provide students with the theoretical and empirical tools to conduct rigorous applied microeconomics research. The course builds on the structural empirical methods learnt in the second year, expanding knowledge of limited dependent variable methods and panel data models. It also provides an introduction to programme evaluation techniques, exploring ways in which researchers can identify causal relationships. This module will be particularly valuable to students interested in conducting applied economics research as part of their final year dissertation, or in their future careers.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will typically cover the following topics: Introduction to correlation vs. causation; OLS and propensity score matching; introduction to dealing with unobservable characteristics; randomised control trials; instrumental variables;regression discontinuity design; difference-in-differences; static and dynamic linear panel data methods; introduction to maximum likelihood estimation; binary choice models; discrete choice models.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Subject knowledge and understanding:...understand what is meant by a “causal” estimate and what is required to identify such a relationship.
Subject knowledge and understanding:...understand the theoretical pros and cons – and the empirical requirements – of a range of methods designed to produce causal estimates.
Subject knowledge and understanding:...be able to analyse different types of microeconomic data using appropriate empirical techniques.
Subject knowledge and understanding:...be able to interpret the results of such analyses.
Subject knowledge and understanding:...understand the features of a robust evaluation and be able to design one for a given scenario.
Subject-specific and Professional Key General Skills:...demonstrate an ability to critically assess empirical papers.
Subject-specific and Professional Key General Skills:...be equipped to tackle advanced microeconometric modules at postgraduate level.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Applied Economics
Economic information
Economic principles
Research and debate
Abstraction
Analytical reasoning
Analytical thinking and communication
Creative thinking
Critical thinking
Policy evaluation
Problem solving
Sustainability

Transferable skills

Data-based skills
IT skills
Research skills
Information technology
Math, Statistical, data-based research skills
Oral communication
Written communication
Coding Skills (Stata and R)

Study time

Type	Required
Lectures	20 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Seminars	4 sessions of 1 hour (3%)
Private study	126 hours (84%)
Total	150 hours

Private study description

Private study will be required in order to prepare for seminars/classes, to review lecture notes, to prepare for forthcoming assessments, tests, and exams, and to undertake wider reading around the subject.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D8

	Weighting	Eligible for self-certification
Assignment 1 (1500 words)	20%	No
Group project
Assignment 2 (1500 words)	20%	Yes (extension)
Centrally-timetabled examination (On-campus)	60%	No
Students may use a calculator Answerbook Green (8 page) Economics dept. statistical tables (yellow/ red)

Assessment group R6

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
Examination	100%		No
Answerbook Gold (24 page) Students may use a calculator Economics dept. statistical tables (yellow/ red) Answerbook Green (8 page)

Feedback on assessment

The Department of Economics is committed to providing high quality and timely feedback to students on their assessed work, to enable them to review and continuously improve their work. We are dedicated to ensuring feedback is returned to students within 20 University working days of their assessment deadline. Feedback for assignments is returned either on a standardised assessment feedback cover sheet which gives information both by tick boxes and by free comments or via free text comments on tabula, together with the annotated assignment. For tests and problem sets, students receive solutions as an important form of feedback and their marked assignment, with a breakdown of marks and comments by question and sub-question. Students are informed how to access their feedback, either by collecting from the Undergraduate Office or via tabula. Module leaders often provide generic feedback for the cohort outlining what was done well, less well, and what was expected on the assignment and any other common themes. This feedback also includes a cumulative distribution function with summary statistics so students can review their performance in relation to the cohort. This feedback is in addition to the individual-specific feedback on assessment performance.

Past exam papers for EC338

Pre-requisites

EC203-30 OR
EC226-30 OR
ST218-12 and ST219-12

To take this module, you must have passed:

Any of

Courses

This module is Optional for:

Year 4 of UECA-L1N3 BSc Economics and Management with Placement Year
TECA-L1PA Postgraduate Taught Economics (Diploma plus MSc)
- Year 1 of L1PA Economics (Diploma plus MSc)
- Year 2 of L1PA Economics (Diploma plus MSc)
UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
- Year 3 of L100 Economics
- Year 3 of L116 Economics and Industrial Organization
UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
- Year 4 of LV16 Economics & Economic History with Study Abroad
- Year 4 of L103 Economics with Study Abroad
- Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
Year 3 of UECA-L1N2 Undergraduate Economics and Management
Year 3 of UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
- Year 3 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
- Year 3 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
- Year 3 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
- Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
UPHA-L1CB Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CG Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CH Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CJ Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
- Year 3 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
- Year 4 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
Year 3 of UMAA-GL11 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics
Year 4 of UECA-GL12 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics (with Intercalated Year)
Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Year 4 of UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)

This module is Unusual option for:

Year 3 of UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Core option list B for:

Year 4 of USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated

This module is Option list A for:

USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
- Year 3 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
- Year 3 of Y602 Mathematics,Operational Research,Stats,Economics
- Year 4 of G300 Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
- Year 4 of G30E Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream) Int
- Year 5 of G30E Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream) Int
Year 3 of USTA-Y602 Undergraduate Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
Year 4 of USTA-Y603 Undergraduate Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics,Economics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list B for:

Year 5 of USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
Year 4 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
Year 3 of USTA-GG14 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc)
Year 4 of USTA-G140 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (MMathStat)
Year 4 of USTA-GG17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list C for:

Year 4 of USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Option list D for:

Year 3 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
Year 3 of USTA-G140 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (MMathStat)
Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics