Study information

Research Methods II

Module titleResearch Methods II
Module codeBEEM143
Academic year2019/0
Credits15
Module staff
Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

12

Module description

This module will cover a broad range of tools to analyse data: programming, program evaluation, structural estimation and machine learning.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module goal is to equip students with a set of tools that allows them to analyse economic data in an appropriate way.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. explain the main approaches to data analysis
  • 2. use different approaches to data analysis

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. explain how to use different software to analyse economic data
  • 4. assess the difference between program evaluation techniques and structural estimation in economics

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. identify the relevant research methods to analyze data
  • 6. work independently and responsibly on data analysis

Syllabus plan

i. Programming
ii. Program evaluation
iii. Structural estimation
iv. Machine learning

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
321180

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching10Tutorials
Independent Study118Independent study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Practice ProblemsVaries1-6Oral/Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
45550

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Exam553 hours1-6Oral/Written
4 Problem Sets451-4 Problems each1-6Oral/Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
ExaminationExamination 55% (3 hours)1-6August examination period
Problem SetsProblem set 45% (1-4 problems)1-6August examination period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

-Adams, A., Clarke, D., and Quinn, S. (2016) Microeconometrics and MATLAB: An Introduction, Oxford University Press.

-Angrist, J., and Pischke, J-S. (2009) Mostly Harmless Econometrics. Princeton University Press.

-Athey, S., and Imbens, G. (2017) “The State of Applied Econometrics: Causality and Policy Evaluation,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2):3-32.

-Baum, C. (2016) An Introduction to Stata programming, Stata Press.

-Low, H., and Meghir, C. (2017) “The Use of Structural Models in Econometrics,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2):33-58.

-Mullainathan, S. and Spiess, J. (2017) “Machine Learning: An Applied Econometric Approach,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2):87-106.

Key words search

programming, program evaluation, structural estimation, machine learning.

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

BEEM136

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

24/06/2019

Last revision date

20/08/2019