Empirical methods for economics and policy evaluation
A.A. 2024/2025
Obiettivi formativi
The aim of this course is to analyse the main challenges faced by economists and social scientists in answering empirical questions using micro‐data. The main emphasis will be on learning how to establish causal relationships between different variables and how to use this evidence to inform policy makers' decisions.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Students will learn how to handle real‐world data, how identify causal effects using micro-data, how to use econometric software (Stata) to generate estimates and how to link econometric theory with data work and produce an insightful and coherent empirical analysis.
Periodo: Secondo trimestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Secondo trimestre
Programma
· Introduction: the "credibility revolution"' in empirical economics
· Example: Evaluating Education Policies
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapters 2.1-2.2 and 6.1
o Dale and Krueger [2002]
· Estimating Causal Policy Effects
o Gertler et al. [2011], chapter 3
· Randomized Experiments
o Angrist and Pischke [2015], chapter 1
· Regression Discontinuity Design
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapter 4
o Pinotti [2017]
· Difference in Differences
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapter 5
o Card and Krueger [1994] and [2000]
o Card [1990]
o Draca et al. [2011]
o Duflo [2001]
· Panel Data
o Bertrand and Antoinette Schoar [2003]
· Instrumental Variables
o Angrist and Pischke [2015], chapter 3
o Dustmann et al. [2013]
· Example: Evaluating Education Policies
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapters 2.1-2.2 and 6.1
o Dale and Krueger [2002]
· Estimating Causal Policy Effects
o Gertler et al. [2011], chapter 3
· Randomized Experiments
o Angrist and Pischke [2015], chapter 1
· Regression Discontinuity Design
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapter 4
o Pinotti [2017]
· Difference in Differences
o Angrist and Pischke [2015]: chapter 5
o Card and Krueger [1994] and [2000]
o Card [1990]
o Draca et al. [2011]
o Duflo [2001]
· Panel Data
o Bertrand and Antoinette Schoar [2003]
· Instrumental Variables
o Angrist and Pischke [2015], chapter 3
o Dustmann et al. [2013]
Prerequisiti
Good knowledge of basic statistics and econometrics
Metodi didattici
Lectures
Materiale di riferimento
- Marianne Bertrand and Antoinette Schoar. Managing with style: The effect of managers on firm policies. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118(4):1169-1208, 2003.
- David Card. The impact of the Mariel boatlift on the Miami labor market. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 43(2): 245.257, January 1990.
- David Card and Alan B Krueger. Minimum wages and employment: A case study of the fast-food industry in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. American Economic Review, 84(4): 772-93, September 1994.
- Stacy Berg Dale and Alan B. Krueger. Estimating the payoff to attending a more selective college: An application of selection on observables and unobservables. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 117(4):1491-1527, 2002.
- Mirko Draca, Stephen Machin, and Robert Witt. Panic on the streets of London: Police, crime, and the July 2005 terror attacks. American Economic Review, 101(5):2157-81, August 2011.
- Christian Dustmann, Tommaso Frattini and Ian Preston. The Effect of Immigration along the Distribution of Wages, Review of Economic Studies, 80 (1): 145-173, 2013.
- Esther Duflo. Schooling and labor market consequences of school construction in Indonesia: Evidence from an unusual policy experiment. American Economic Review, 91(4): 795-813, September 2001.
- Alan B. Krueger and David Card. Minimum wages and employment: A case study of the fast-food industry in new jersey and Pennsylvania: Reply. American Economic Review, 90(5):1397-1420, December 2000.
- Paolo Pinotti. Clicking on heaven's door: The effect of immigrant legalization on crime. American Economic Review, 107(1): 138-68, January 2017.
Main references:
· My lecture slides
· Jousha D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke (2015) Mastering Metrics, Princeton University Press
· Specific papers indicated in each chapter
Additional References:
- Jousha D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke (2008) Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion. Princeton University Press
- Wooldridge (20XX) Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, South-Western College Pub.
- Wooldridge (20XX) Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data, MIT Press.
- Cameron and Trivedi (2010) Microeconometrics Using Stata, Revised Edition, Stata Press
- Gertler et al. (2011) Impact Evaluation in Practice, World Bank.
- Khandker et al. (2010) Handbook on Impact Evaluation Quantitative Methods and Practices (available on-line)
- Cunningam, Scott. (2021) Causal Inference: the Mixtape, Yale University Press
- David Card. The impact of the Mariel boatlift on the Miami labor market. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 43(2): 245.257, January 1990.
- David Card and Alan B Krueger. Minimum wages and employment: A case study of the fast-food industry in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. American Economic Review, 84(4): 772-93, September 1994.
- Stacy Berg Dale and Alan B. Krueger. Estimating the payoff to attending a more selective college: An application of selection on observables and unobservables. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 117(4):1491-1527, 2002.
- Mirko Draca, Stephen Machin, and Robert Witt. Panic on the streets of London: Police, crime, and the July 2005 terror attacks. American Economic Review, 101(5):2157-81, August 2011.
- Christian Dustmann, Tommaso Frattini and Ian Preston. The Effect of Immigration along the Distribution of Wages, Review of Economic Studies, 80 (1): 145-173, 2013.
- Esther Duflo. Schooling and labor market consequences of school construction in Indonesia: Evidence from an unusual policy experiment. American Economic Review, 91(4): 795-813, September 2001.
- Alan B. Krueger and David Card. Minimum wages and employment: A case study of the fast-food industry in new jersey and Pennsylvania: Reply. American Economic Review, 90(5):1397-1420, December 2000.
- Paolo Pinotti. Clicking on heaven's door: The effect of immigrant legalization on crime. American Economic Review, 107(1): 138-68, January 2017.
Main references:
· My lecture slides
· Jousha D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke (2015) Mastering Metrics, Princeton University Press
· Specific papers indicated in each chapter
Additional References:
- Jousha D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke (2008) Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion. Princeton University Press
- Wooldridge (20XX) Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, South-Western College Pub.
- Wooldridge (20XX) Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data, MIT Press.
- Cameron and Trivedi (2010) Microeconometrics Using Stata, Revised Edition, Stata Press
- Gertler et al. (2011) Impact Evaluation in Practice, World Bank.
- Khandker et al. (2010) Handbook on Impact Evaluation Quantitative Methods and Practices (available on-line)
- Cunningam, Scott. (2021) Causal Inference: the Mixtape, Yale University Press
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
Written exam.
Evaluation for attendant students:
· Class attendance (at least 80% of classes) and active participation: 10% of the final grade
· Two assignments: 20% of the final grade
· Final exam: 70% of the final grade.
Non- attendant students: Final exam 100% of the grade.
Evaluation for attendant students:
· Class attendance (at least 80% of classes) and active participation: 10% of the final grade
· Two assignments: 20% of the final grade
· Final exam: 70% of the final grade.
Non- attendant students: Final exam 100% of the grade.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMIA POLITICA
SECS-P/03 - SCIENZA DELLE FINANZE
SECS-P/03 - SCIENZA DELLE FINANZE
Lezioni: 60 ore
Docenti:
Bartos Vojtech, Frattini Tommaso
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Mercoledì 9:30-12:30. Il ricevimento di mercoledì 18 dicembre è sospeso.
Stanza 218 o MS Teams