This course takes the theoretical econometric tools students have learned in other courses and teaches students how to apply those techniques to real world problems and data. The course focuses on the concept of causal inference and the different techniques used to causally identify the effect of treatments on outcomes. Using economic data and modern computer software, students learn how to conduct empirical studies by replicating well known econometric analyses. The techniques covered are: Regression Discontinuity Design, Panel Data Methods, Difference in difference analysis, Instrumental Variables, Synthetic Control, Bootstrapping and Randomisation Inference. Students will be required to present an econometric paper by summarising the hypothesis and results of the paper, placing it in the literature and critiquing the implementation of the paper.  

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain econometric concepts such as causality, endogeneity, confounding factors, selection, and simultaneity;
2. explain econometric techniques for estimating causal effects;
3. investigate the properties of econometric techniques using Monte Carlo simulation;
4. use statistical software to manage and analyse data;
5. carry out an empirical analysis of data using the econometric techniques discussed;
6. interpret the findings in an empirical analysis, and discuss caveats and potential problems.

Research-Led Teaching

Based on all the econometrics tools previously studied, this course prepares students for applying the most appropriate econometric tools in empirical works, especially using

micro data. By explaining the advantages and potential problems of common identification strategies, students will develop a sense of how to make choices among different

strategies based on available data and economic research questions at hand.

Required Resources

"Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist’s Companion", Joshua D. Angrist and Jörn-Steffen Pischke, Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press. The eBook is available at the ANU's Chifley library.

Recommended Resources

"Microeconometrics Using Stata", 2nd Edition, A. Colin Cameron and Pravin K. Trivedi, Stata Press. A request has been put to the ANU Library to acquire the eBook and make it available to students.

"Econometric Analysis", William Greene, Pearson Education. The eBook is available at the ANU's Chifley library.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

We will make up the four missed Monday lectures in the Tuesday seminar slot in the week of the holiday and the week following the holiday. Students will be reminded in class.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Micro-econometrics
2	Fundamental Microeconometric Theory I
3	Fundamental Microeconometric Theory II
4	Instrumental Variable I
5	Instrumental Variable II	Wattle Quiz
6	Panel Data I
7	Panel Data II
8	Difference in Difference
9	Regression Discontinuity Designs I
10	Regression Discontinuity Designs II
11	Quantile Regression
12	Review	STATA Empirical Project; Final Exam

Tutorial Registration

TBA

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Wattle Quiz	5 %	23/08/2023	25/08/2023	1.2.3.4
STATA Empirical Project	25 %	27/10/2023	10/11/2023	1.2.3.4
Final Exam	70 %	*	*	1.2.3.4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This is an on-campus course. Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (b). In addition, tutorials are a discussion-based class. Providing worked solutions would not effectively compensate for missing a tutorial. Students who, through unavoidable and unplanned occurrences, are unable to attend a tutorial class one week are encouraged to work through the problems and attend a consultation session for discussion and solutions.

Examination(s)

As described in Assessment Tasks.

Assessment Task 1

Wattle Quiz

The Quiz will be run on Wattle, and scheduled in Week 5, with the exact time to be announced by Week 3. The quiz will be 30-minute long, and in the form of Multiple Choice Questions. It covers course materials from Week 1 to Week 3. The results of the quiz will be returned to students by the end of Week 5 (i.e. prior to Week 6).

Assessment Task 2

STATA Empirical Project

There will be a STATA-based assignment due in Week 12. Students must submit the assignment through Turnitin. The assignment will be posted on Wattle on Week 9. Assessments on the assignments will be returned to students within 3 weeks after submission.

Assessment Task 3

Final Exam

The 3-hour final exam will be on campus and organized by the ANU Examination Office. It will cover all the course materials taught throughout the semester. More details will be provided by Week 12.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

In tutorial

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

None

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students