About
In ECON-E 578 students learn to conduct empirical research with advanced computer methods and complex datasets. In the first half of the course students will learn the process by which empirical research is conducted by critiquing several published research articles and replicating the research from a previously published journal article. The replication will involve critical assessment of the research question, specific aims, innovation, significance, methodological approach, as well as learning the computer methods and datasets necessary to replicate the results. In the second half of the course students will use their acquired knowledge of research process to write a detailed proposal for an original research project. The course culminates with an oral presentation of the proposal, followed by critical peer assessment of the project's research question, aims, innovation, significance, and methods. In addition to learning the process of research, students will acquire advanced Stata programming skills (e.g., ado-file programming, Mata, maximum-likelihood programming), and be introduced to several complex data sets that are important in health economics research. At the culmination of the course, students will be prepared to execute their first original research project. That execution will commence during the summer following completion of E578.
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