Data Methods for Economists

4.0 credits

This course introduces students to the empirical tools economists use to answer real-world questions. Designed for BA students with no prior background in statistics, the course emphasizes intuition, interpretation, and application rather than formal proofs or advanced mathematics. Students learn how to use data to evaluate economic relationships and causal effects. Topics include regression analysis, causal inference, difference-in-differences, fixed effects models, instrumental variables, and limited dependent variable models such as probit. The course is hands-on and software-based. Students work directly with real datasets and statistical software to estimate and interpret models commonly used in applied economics. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate empirical research and conduct their own applied quantitative analysis.