Topics

Empirical Economic Research Design with Application to Development

Syllabus

Lecture 1: Linear Regression [Slides] March 23, 2021

Greene, William H. Econometric analysis. Pearson Education India, 2003.

Application: How does Technology Affect Growth?

Kremer, Michael. "Population growth and technological change: One million BC to 1990." The Quarterly Journal of Economics 108.3 (1993): 681-716.

Lecture 2: Omitted Variable Bias [Slides] March 30, 2021

Angrist, Joshua D., and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion. Princeton university press, 2008

Application: Does Solow fit the data?

Mankiw, N. Gregory, David Romer, and David N. Weil. "A contribution to the empirics of economic growth." The Quarterly Journal of Economics 107.2 (1992): 407-437.

Lecture 3: Instrumental Variables [Slides] April 6, 2021

Angrist, Joshua D., and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion. Princeton university press, 2008

Application: Electricity Shortages and Firm Productivity in India

Allcott, Hunt, Allan Collard-Wexler, and Stephen D. O'Connell. "How do electricity shortages affect industry? Evidence from India." The American Economic Review 106.3 (2016): 587-624.

Lecture 4: Randomized Control Trials [Slides] April 13, 2021

Angrist, Joshua D., and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion. Princeton university press, 2008

Application: Local Governance and Public Good Provision in Kenya

Casey, Katherine, Rachel Glennerster, and Edward Miguel. "Reshaping institutions: Evidence on aid impacts using a preanalysis plan." The Quarterly Journal of Economics 127.4 (2012): 1755-1812.