AØKA08084U Advanced Microeconometrics

Volume 2020/2021
Education

MSc programme in Economics – elective course

 

The PhD Programme in Economics at the Department of Economics:

  • The course is an elective course with resarch module. PhD students must contact the study administration and the lecturer in order to write the research assignment.
  • The course is a part of the admission requirements for the 5+3 PhD Programme. Please consult the 5+3 PhD admission requirements.
Content

The teaching in this course may be changed to be taught either fully or partly online due to COVID-19. For further information, see the course room on Absalon. The time, place and type of assessment used for the exam may also be changed due to COVID-19, and any further information will be announced under the panel “Exam”.

Advanced Microeconometrics gives a detailed account of principles for estimation and inference based on the most conventional methods for estimation of both linear and non-linear parametric models, such as non-linear least squares, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and generalized method of moments (GMM). These methods are used to estimate a range of microeconometric models for panel and cross-sectional data covered in the course.  The course provides both the theoretical foundations of these estimation methods, as well as the practical tools to implement them in a relatively low-level programming language (MATLAB).

 

The course will be developed along the following four axes:

 

1) Linear unobserved effects panel data models:

  • Estimation with strictly exogenous regressors.
  • Random and fixed effects, first differences.
  • GMM estimation of dynamic models with sequentially exogenous regressors.

 

2) Estimation methods and numerical tools for non-linear parametric models:

  • M-estimators (e.g., NLS, MLE, LAD) and two-step M-estimators.
  • Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Minimum Distance (MD).
  • Simulation-based estimation methods.
  • Numerical optimization algorithms (e.g., Nelder-Mead, Newton-Raphson, BHHH).

 

3) Discrete-outcome models and models for demand:

  • Binary choice models for cross-sectional and panel data
  • Multinomial choice models (e.g., logit, nested logit, probit, mixed logit)
  • Censoring, selection models (e.g., tobit-type models)
  • Structural models which combine discrete and continuous choices.
  • Structural models for discrete demand in oligopolistic markets

 

4) Traditional semi-/non-parametric methods and introduction to machine learning:

  • Kernel and series regression.
  • Regularized linear regression (e.g., LASSO, Ridge).
  • Classification and regression trees.

 

The course will provide the student with a statistical toolbox that can be used for estimation of and inference in a wide range of reduced-form and structural microeconometric models.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Define the data generating process (including model (un)observables and parameters), the appropriate estimation method(s) and the assumptions ensuring consistency (including identification) for the models in axes 1, 3 and 4.
  • Define the principles of estimation and inferences for the paradigms in axis 2.
  • Identify the most common numerical optimization algorithms and their implementations in MATLAB. 
  • Account for the key opportunities and challenges that arise in models for panel versus cross-sectional data. 
  • Discuss merits and drawbacks of different estimators for a specific problem.
  • Discuss validity of model assumptions. For concrete data examples, the student must be able to precisely relate the mathematical assumptions to economic intuition about the behavior that is underlying the data.

 

Skills:

  • Assess which estimator is suitable for a given model.
  • Estimate model parameters through programming in MATLAB.
  • Test formal statistical hypotheses.
  • Replicate, extend and critically discuss microeconometric research.
  • Code an estimator from a research paper up from scratch and conduct estimation and inference.
  • Exploite the added value of panel datasets over purely cross-sectional datasets.
  • Master estimation using probability theory and (asymptotic) statistics.

 

Competencies:

  • Assess which economic research questions can be answered when faced with a new dataset.

  • Independently carry out and present empirical analysis e.g. in the master’s thesis and future jobs.

  • Independently formulate and answer empirical economic questions and economic research question with a given dataset e.g. in a government agency or in the private sector.

  • Initiate, be responsible for and receive constructive feedback in future colaborations.

A. Colin Cameron & Pravin K. Trivedi

Microeconometrics: Methods and Applications July 2005 ISBN 9780521848053

 

Pre-requisites are the bachelor-level econometrics courses in Economics: Econometrics I and II or similar.

Students will be required to do mathematical derivations in order to complete both the exercise classes, homework assignments and exam. So students should have a sound knowledge of linear algebra and calculus (e.g., matrix algebra, differentiation) e.g. from the course Mathematics B at the study of Economics, or similar.

Programming will be an important component of the exercise classes, homework assignments, and exam. Prior experience with MATLAB is not a pre requisite to begin at this course. However students are strongly encouraged to complete the short course “Online MATLAB Course for Students of Economics” (available on Absalon at bit.ly/3cX4nXm) before the start of the semester.
The course is a combination of lectures, exercise classes and mandatory homework assignments. The lectures cover the theory and the intuition behind the estimators and the methods.

Exercises classes as well as homework assignments span a mix of theoretical, empirical and computational topics and allow students to put theory into practice in both supervised and unsupervised environments.

Homework assignments furthermore allow students to obtain hands-on coding experience by implementing estimators in MATLAB while using real datasets and addressing real economic questions. Students are expected to have (at least) attempted the exercises prior to attending exercise classes.

Office hours are offered by Anders Munk-Nielsen and Jesper Riis-Vestergaard Sørensen, who inform day and time.
Schedule:
2 hours lectures one to two times a week from week 36 to 50 (except week 42).
2 hours exercise classes a week from week 36/37 to 50 (except week 42).

Schema:
The overall schema for the Master can be seen at KUnet:
MSc in Economics => "Courses and teaching" => "Planning and overview" => "Your timetable"

Timetable and venue:
To see the time and location of lectures and exercise classes please press the link/links under "Timetable"/​"Se skema" at the right side of this page. E means Autumn. The lectures are shown in each link.

You can find the similar information partly in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku2021/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-E20; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: “List – Weekdays”
-Select Period: “Efterår/Autumn – Weeks 31-4”
Press: “ View Timetable”

Please be aware regarding exercise classes:
- The schedule of the exercise classes is only a pre-planned schedule and can be changed until just before the teaching begins without the participants´ acceptance. If this happens it will be informed at the intranet or can be seen in the app myUCPH and at the above link
- That the study administration allocates the students to the exercise classes according to the principles stated in the KUnet.
- If too many students have wished a specific class, students will be registered randomly at another class.
- It is not possible to change class after the second registration period has expired.
- If there is not enough registered students or available teachers, the exercise classes may be jointed.
- The student is not allowed to participate in an exercise class not registered, because the room has only seats for the amount of registered student.
- The teacher of the exercise class cannot correct assignments from other students than the registered students in the exercise class except with group work across the classes.
- That all exercise classes will be taught in English.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Class Instruction
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 92
  • Exam
  • 48
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

 

Assignments handed in for anonymous peer feedback will receive written feedback from fellow students based on criteria set up by the lecturers.

If deemed relevant, the lecturers will provide oral collective feedback in lectures based on a sample of the assignments.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio, 48 hours
The exam is a written assignment consisting of two parts:
- Part 1: The first part is based on one of the assignments worked on during the course. The student can use the received peer feedback to improve the assignment. The repeat assignment is chosen at random and reveals with the release of the exam.
- Part 2: The second part of the exam is a new assignment.

Both parts must be uploaded to the Digital Exam portal in one file.

The assignments can be written individually or by groups of maximum three students.

The plagiarism rules must be complied and please be aware of the rules for co-written assignments.

The assignments must be written in English.
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Exam registration requirements

To qualify for the exam the student must no later than the given deadlines during the course:

  • Hand in a minimum of 2 out of 3 mandatory assignments to be approved by the teachers.
  • Give individually written peer feedback based on specific criteria for a minimum of 2 out of 3 assignments to two students from other groups. The teachers must approve the feedback.

 

The assignments can be written individually or by groups of maximum three students. The plagiarism rules must be complied and please be aware of the rules for co-written assignments.

The assignments and the peer feedback must be written in English.

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Aid

All aids are allowed for the regular exam.

 

For the oral re-exam aids as books, notes etc are allowed during the preparation. Electronic devises are not allowed. Notes made during the preparation are allowed at the examination.

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Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
The written exam may be chosen for external censorship by random check.
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Exam period

The exam takes place

 

From December 19 at 10 AM to December 21, 2020 at 10 AM

 

Exam information:

In special cases, the exam date can be changed to another day and time within the exam period.

 

Further information about the exam will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.

 

More information about examination, rules, aids etc. is available at  Master (UK) and Master (DK).

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Re-exam

The reexam:

In week 8 and/or 9, February 2021. Changed to week 7 or 8.

 

If only few students register for the written re-exam, it might change to a 20 minutes online oral examination with aids, but without preparation time.

If changed the date and time for the exam will be informed by the Examination Office.

The questions cover the entire curriculum and are based on the cases in the written assignments worked with during the semester.

 

Reexam information:

Time will be available in the Digital Exam early February.

More information about rules, aids etc at  Master (UK) and  Master (DK).  

Criteria for exam assesment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To receive the top grade, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.