| Unit name | MRes Topics in Econometrics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ECONM0021 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Vincent Han |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
MRes Econometrics, MRes Mathematical and Research Methods, MRes Microeconomics, MRes Macroeconomics. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will introduce students to a various research topics in econometrics and industrial organization (IO) and statistical methodologies that are useful for empirical researchers. In this way, this course is designed for students who wish to write their MRes thesis in econometric theory or IO, or for students who wish to pursue these research areas at doctoral level. It will also be useful to students who wish to use advanced econometric methods to work on empirical microeconomics.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The econometrics units of the first year are designed to equip students with the foundational background needed to conduct research in theoretical econometrics and empirical microeconomics. This second year unit will be the natural continuation of the first year units: it introduces advanced topics in a range of econometric and IO models that build on the concepts students learned in the first year.
An overview of content
The unit aims to cover a range of advanced topics in econometrics and IO. The topics will be drawn from the recent literature in the fields. The first half of the unit will be dedicated to econometric theory focusing on identification and estimation in nonparametric models for treatment effects and program evaluation. The core concepts and methods are: the counterfactual outcomes framework and corresponding structural nonparametric models, identification, estimation and inference in nonparametric models for endogenous treatments and instrumental variables, the framework for marginal treatment effects, partial identification of treatment effects, and inference in partially identified models. The second half of the unit will be dedicated to IO focusing on dynamic discrete choice models and econometric models for games. Methodologically, the second half relates to the first half as nonparametric methods and partial identification are common themes.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By building on the core concepts learned in the first year, this unit will introduce students to the state-of-the-art methods in econometrics and IO research. Furthermore, by introducing students to specific key research areas within the fields, the unit will prepare students to conduct their own research in econometrics and IO.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, successful students will be able to:
How you will learn
Teaching will be delivered through lectures and classes.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
The students will each make a presentation of an academic paper of their choice in class during which they will receive in-class feedback from both their fellow students and the instructor. This will not only help them get a deeper understanding of an econometric question but also help them understand how to be critical of econometrics research. This experience will help them write a referee report on a paper of their choice and eventually write a research proposal. All of these, including the presentation, will also constitute their summative assessment, but the presentation in particular, will provide crucial formative feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Individual Presentation (50%) – ILOs 1-4
Referee report. Maximum 1500 words (50%) – ILOs 1-3
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. If a student fails the presentation element, reassessment will be through a video presentation.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECONM0021).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
