A 14-week introductory course on Econometrics.

This is an introductory course to applied research in Economics. Linear econometric techniques together with the required programming skills will be studied. Actual examples of influential studies will be presented, and in some cases, replicated in computer sessions.

K1: Understand democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, non-discrimination, universal accessibility principles, and the fight against climate change. K3: Acquire knowledge of the theories and techniques specific to Economics, employing appropriate terminology and the scientific method. K4: To understand the functioning of the economy as the efficient allocation of scarce resources, including the importance of equity. K5: Know quantitative and qualitative research techniques, and be able to discern which are the most appropriate to apply in the field of economics. K6: Comprehend the economic and social impact of various public policies on different agents and in diverse socioeconomic contexts. S8: Formally representing economic decision-making processes S9: Derive relevant economic information from the data, and be able to process it to answer the questions of interest S12: Model and quantitatively interpret specific economic issues C4: Solve economic models of interest from both theoretical and numerical perspectives. C5: Use appropriate statistical and econometric tools to address and solve economic problems. C6: Integrate democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, into the professional sphere.

Section 1: Data Management and regression: Linear regression model. Models with binary dependent variable. Use and organization of gretl databases. Gretl regression. Section 2: Instrumental Variables: Endogenous explanatory variables . Consequences on estimation and inference. Valid instruments. Tests of endogeneity and overidentifying restrictions . Section 3: Pooled Data with Cross Sections. The difference-in-differences estimator. Panel data. First difference estimator. Fixed effects estimator. Random effects estimator.

The course will consist of three parts: - Theoretical lectures based on the presentation of influential empirical papers. Reference bibliography will be provided in order to aid the students in delving deeper into the topics they find more interesting. - Theoretical lectures to teach the students the use of econometric software at an intermediate level. Class notes will be provided. - Reduced classes in computer classrooms to allow the students to replicate some of the empirical papers presented in class. The theoretical lessons have the goal of facilitating the understanding of several academic empirical papers. Computer classes aim to give the students the chance of apply the econometric techniques learnt in several courses in order to do empirical work.