This is a unit in basic econometrics, emphasising the problems involved in the empirical measurement of economic relationships and the techniques used to solve these problems. While the application of econometric techniques is of prime importance, the results are not just presented but derived using a mixture of rigour and intuition so as to leave as few loose ends as possible.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. demonstrate an understanding of regression and other tools necessary to conduct basic empirical research;
2. be able to conduct a basic empirical analysis of cross-sectional data and/or time-series data.

Examination Material or equipment

For the final examination, you may need a calculator but access to Stata will not be necessary.

Required Resources

Essential readings:

• Written material by course convenor and others (posted on Wattle).
• Angrist and Pischke (2014). Mastering 'Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press. Expect to cover chapters 1-3 and 5. Hardcopy available from the ANU library

Computers and essential software:

A large part of the course is practical hands-on data analysis using computers and the Stata software. On-campus students can access Stata in the ANU's computer labs. Off-campus students will need to arrange access to a desktop or laptop computer with Stata installed themselves. Students who cannot arrange access to a suitable computer should contact the course convenor as soon as possible.

Recommended Resources

Other nonessential but useful textbooks:

• Cumming (2012). Understanding The New Statistics: Effect Sizes, Confidence Intervals, and Meta-Analysis, 2012. The ebook is available in the ANU library.
• Stock and Watson (2020). Introduction to Econometrics. 4th global edition. Pearson. Hardcopy and ebook available from the ANU library.
• Wooldridge (2013/2015/2016/2020). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach. Cengage Learning. (Not to be confused with the Asia-Pacific edition!) Hardcopy and ebook available from the ANU library.

Staff Feedback

The quizzes and assignments are expected to be returned with written comments within two weeks after submission.

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Estimating a mean. Intro to Stata.
2	Estimating a mean.	Wattle quiz.
3	Estimating a mean.	Wattle quiz.
4	Regression.	Wattle quiz.
5	Regression.	Wattle quiz.
6	Comparing two means, randomised controlled trials.	Wattle quiz.
7	Regression approach to causal inference.	Wattle quiz.
8	Difference in differences methods.	Wattle quiz.
9	Instrumental variable methods.	Wattle quiz.
10	Maximum likelihood methods and binary regressands.	Wattle quiz. Assignment.
11	Speical topic eg multivariate inference.	Wattle quiz.
12	Special topic eg time series methods.	Wattle quiz.

Tutorial Registration

The tutorials begin in week 1.

Weekly tutorials will be delivered both on-campus and online via Zoom. You must enrol in a particular tutorial session and you are expected to attend that particular tutorial each week from week 1 onwards. You enrol using MyTimetable, see the ANU timetable webpage https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Wattle quizzes	20 %	1,2
Assignment	20 %	1,2
Final Exam	60 %	1,2

* 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
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• 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

The lectures will be delivered in person on campus, with Echo recordings available later. You can choose either an on-campus or an online Zoom-based tutorial session. Both on-campus and online consultation times will be available each week of the semester, see Wattle for details.

Examination(s)

See assessment task 3.

Assessment Task 1

Wattle quizzes

There will be 11 weekly Wattle quizzes. The questions may be in multiple choice format or require short written answers. The questions may require calculations using Stata and may ask you to submit Stata code. Each quiz will focus on the material covered in the week before the due date, but may also ask about any topic covered earlier. The quizzes will open on Tuesday and close at noon on the following Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated on Wattle. You can submit any time between the opening and closing times. There is no time limit for quizzes. The quiz scores will be published on Wattle within two weeks after the due date.

Assessment Task 2

Assignment

There will be one assignment. The tasks may involve analysing a given data set using Stata and discussing the results, interpreting and evaluating published findings, or providing mathematical arguments. The assignment is compulsory, ie the score contributes to your final course grade. The assignment will be due in week 10 or 11. The exact time will be posted on Wattle at least one week in advance. The questions will be released at least five days in advance. The results will be published on Wattle within two weeks after the due date.

Assessment Task 3

Final Exam

Written examination held during the exam period. The exam questions will be similar in style to the tutorial questions (except Stata will not be needed for computations) and may require short written answers, calculations, mathematical derivations, and sketching. Duration 2-3 hours, to be determined. The exam will be held online. The exam will not be invigilated. Further details will provided no later than week 10.

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

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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

No submission of assessment tasks after the due date will be permitted (unless an extension has been granted before the due date). If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, 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

Within two weeks of due dates.

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.

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 undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students