Econ 327 - Spring 2010
Introduction to Econometrics
Dr. R. Pete Parcells (parcells@whitman.edu)
Empirical Research Project
S - Studenmund, A.H. Using Econometrics: A Practical Guide. 5th ed., Addison-Wesley, 2006.
K - Kennedy, Peter. A Guide to Econometrics. 6th ed., Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
Studenmund, Chapter Eleven, outlines the process for completing an empirical research project. Kennedy, Chapter 21, outlines all the things to consider when doing an empirical econometric paper. Read these chapters early in the semester and refer to them often thoughout the semester.
Link to information on writing an Annotated bibliography and information on Citations.
Each part of this project requires a submission.
The project timeline is listed below:
Part A - Feb 9
Part B - Mar 2
Part C - April 8
Part D - April 20
Final Completed EMPIRICAL RESEARCH PAPER DUE on May 11, 2010 (Tue, last class)
Dates
Part A - Feb 9 (example of "The Model")
(Note: Project must be cleared by Professor Parcells before it is selected)
Project Description, (Skeleton) Thesis, and Objective Function (1 or 2 pages) -- Due Date (in writing or Cleo drop box) Tues Feb 9, 2010
Part B - Mar 2
Annotated bibliography (1-5 pages depending on sources) -- Due Date (in writing or Cleo drop box) Tues Mar 2, 2010 (Click here for Citations Help)
Part C - Apr 8
Data Collected (submit data electronically and include a description) -- Due Date (in writing or Cleo drop box) Apr 8, 2010
Part D - Apr 20
Draft of complete Research Project. (submit results and explanation of results & problems see S & K) -- Due Date (in writing or Cleo drop box) Wed Apr 20, 2010
Completed Empirical Research Project - May 11, 2010
Final completed Research Project DUE. (submit results and explanation of results & problems - see S & K) -- Due Date (in writing or Cleo drop box) Tue May 11, 2010. A PowerPoint presentation is required of your research. This will be made available to all class members on the class website.
Guideline - Paper should be 25 pages or fewer including graphics, printed computer results, and Bibliography.
Each student will select a topic of interest. Data need to be available or the means to collect necessary data must be available. (This might be done through sampling for example.)
Each step of the project will be examined and determine the final project grade
It will be necessary to follow the guidelines for applied econometric analysis outlined in your text (and repeated below). The format for this project will be discussed and finalized in class.
Project Description, (Skeleton) Thesis, and Objective Function
(Your project needs to be cleared with Professor Parcells first.)
Annotated bibliography
Some items to consider
Thesis Proposal (Objective Function)
Purpose – Forecast, Test, Describe
List of Variables – Dependent, Independent
Functional Form and Method of Estimation
Data Availability
Final Data Collected
Final Data Set for Analysis (Checked and available to be used in the model)
Determine Final Model
Review of the Literature
Theoretical and Functional Form
Potential Estimation Technique
Hypothesize Signs and Possibly Magnitudes
Regression Runs -- Many Trials
Decide on Tentative Final Model (Equation) and Final Data Set
Report Trials and Tribulations of Analysis
Final Completed PROJECT and MS PowerPoint presentation
Twenty Five Page (Maximum) Report. (This is an upper limit -- fewer pages are perfectly acceptable)
Cover all the information required in the previous steps. Provide the necessary data documentation and printouts of your results. Also provide a digital copy of your final paper. If you need to scan the results in order to turn in your work digitally, that is acceptable.
PowerPoint Presentation of your research project and results needs to be turned in to Prof Parcells. This will be put on the Econ 327 web page.
NOTES
Include a bibliography. I prefer endnotes to footnotes. I will accept the following generalized formats: (Please refer to the citation guidelines)
... Parcells (2010, p. 125)....
... Parcells (2010) said ...
...and the theory (Parcells, 2010, p. 125)
where the dates will lead me to the article in the bibliography.
The papers should be written in Microsoft Word. Equations should be typed if possible (see equation editor) but neatly presented handwritten equations and/or models will be accepted (if scanned into final digital copy). I will take off credit for every grammatical and spelling error I find. If you do not proofread your paper and correct your errors, your grade will suffer. This is an upper level course and should be a reflection of the work of an upper level Whitman student. Some of you may wish to have your papers submitted to the Econ Working Papers Series. If you work in a group of two, you will need to be sure all members of the group are totally familiar with the research (that is -- both members have participated). I will ask questions of group members as parts of the project are turned in to be sure this is the case. I reserve the right to give different grades to members of the group based on their understanding of the research project.
If you have any questions or problems, contact me. Try not to wait until the day before paper is due.
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