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2020/2021

Research Techniques in Economics

Code: 40170 ECTS Credits: 10
Degree Type Year Semester
4313805 Economic Analysis OT 2 2
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Maria Teresa Cabeza Gutes
Email:
Maite.Cabeza@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
english (eng)

Teachers

Jordi Caballé Vilella
Albert Marcet Torrens
Pau Milan Sole

External teachers

Abhay Abhyankar
Ada Ferrer-i- Carbonell
Evgenia Vella
Hanna Wang
Hannes Mueller
Hugo Rodríguez Mendizabal
Rigas Oikonomou
Timothy Kehoe

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisits.

Objectives and Contextualisation

In this module students learn advanced research methods in Economics. These methods include frontier techniques in quantitative methods that allow the student to analyze complex datasets. These techniques use Econometric techniques for both aggregate and micro data, networks and experimental methods. The different methods presented are used and derived from their theoretical foundations. The student will also learn equilibrium models suitable for structural estimation.

Competences

  • Apply the methodology of research, techniques and specific advanced resources to research and produce innovative results in a specific area of specialisation
  • Capacity to articulate basic economic theory, analytically deriving them from mathematical reasoning
  • Capacity to identify basic statistical analysis and econometric techniques deriving them from the laws of probability and statistics
  • Demonstrate an open , innovative and analytical attitude towards research questions
  • Design, plan and carry out economic research
  • Make independent judgements and defend them dialectically
  • Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context
  • Search for information in the scientific literature using the appropriate channels and integrate the information to propose and contextualise a research topic
  • Student should possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that is largely student led or independent
  • Students should be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgements based on information that may be incomplete or limited and includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities associated with the application of their knowledge and judgements
  • Students should know how to apply the knowledge they have acquired and their capacity for problem solving in new or little known fields within wider (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the area of study
  • Students should know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and final reasoning that they hold in front of specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
  • Use new technology for the collection and organisation of information to solve problems in professional activities
  • Use the main computer packages to program economic data analysis

Learning Outcomes

  1. Adapt microeconometric methodologies to specific fields such as the labour market or immigration or education policies
  2. Apply the methodology of research, techniques and specific advanced resources to research and produce innovative results in a specific area of specialisation
  3. Conceptualise the design of an experiment and the analysis of data to give a rigorous response to an economic question
  4. Demonstrate an open , innovative and analytical attitude towards research questions
  5. Describe the models of decision-making that include different assumptions from the neoclassical ones on the behaviour of economic agents
  6. Make independent judgements and defend them dialectically
  7. Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context
  8. Program microeconometric methodologies in different applied contexts
  9. Search for information in the scientific literature using the appropriate channels and integrate the information to propose and contextualise a research topic
  10. Student should possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that is largely student led or independent
  11. Students should be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgements based on information that may be incomplete or limited and includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities associated with the application of their knowledge and judgements
  12. Students should know how to apply the knowledge they have acquired and their capacity for problem solving in new or little known fields within wider (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the area of study
  13. Students should know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and final reasoning that they hold in front of specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
  14. Use new technology for the collection and organisation of information to solve problems in professional activities

Content

 

  • Applied Public Economics
  • Asset Pricing
  • Microeconometrics
  • Money and Banking
  • Networks
  • Optimal Policy and Expectations
  • Quantitative Macroeconomics
  • Topics in Trade and International Finance

Methodology

•     Theory  classes        

•     Practice  classes        

•     Learning  based    on    problem    solving    

•     Tutorials  

•     Personal  study        

•     Study  groups        

•     Textbook  reading        

•     Article  reading        

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Theory classes 75 3 1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 7, 14
Type: Supervised      
Practice classes, problems sets, tutorials 25 1 1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 7, 14
Type: Autonomous      
Learning based on problem solving, personal study, study groups, 150 6 1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 7, 14

Assessment

 

Final  Exams    

50%  

Class  attendance    and    active    participation    

20%  

Problem  sets    and    assignments    

30%  

A module consists of different courses which are evaluated through final exams, problem sets and assignments and other class activities such as class attendance, presentations, etc.

  
   
   

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Class Attendance and Problem sets and assignments 50% 0 0 1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 7, 14
Final Exams 50% 0 0 1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 10, 7, 14

Bibliography

 

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  • Sargent. T, 1993, Bounded Rationality in Macroeconomics, Oxford University Press. Below there is a detailed description of each topic and some readings.
  • Ljungqvist, L. and T.J. Sargent (2004), Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, 2nd edition MIT Press.
  • Lucas, R.E., and N. L. Stokey (1989); Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics, Harvard University Press.
  • Chari, V.V. and P. Kehoe (1999): "Optimal Fiscal and Monetary Policy" in, Handbook of Macroeconomics, John
  • Taylor and MikeWoodford, eds. (North Holland: Amsterdam)
  • Cameron, A. C. and P. K. Triverdi (2005), Microeconometrics: Methods and Applications, Cambridge University Press
  • Wooldridge, J. M. (2002), Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data, MIT Press
  • Angrist, J. D. and J.-S. Pischke (2009), Mostly Harmless Econometrics, An Empiricist´s Companion, Princeton University Press.
  • Jackson, Matthew O. Social and economic networks. Princeton University Press, 2010.
  • Newman, Mark. Networks: an introduction. Oxford University Press, 2009.
  • Galí, J. (2008): Monetary Policy, Inflation and the Business Cycle, Princeton University Press
  • Walsh, C. E. (2010): Monetary Theory and Policy Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 3rd edition
  • Allen, F. and D. Gale (2007): Understanding Financial Crises, Oxford University Press
  • Bindseil, U. (2004): Monetary Policy Implementation: Theory, Past and Present, Oxford University Press
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