Applied Microeconometrics

Many empirical questions in economics are answered using individual level
data and require analyzing individual behavior. This course focuses on estimating models that relate to behavior of individuals. We consider dynamic panel data models, duration models, multinomial models, treatment evaluation models and structural models. To estimate these models we apply techniques like OLS, IV, Maximum Likelihood, GMM and nonparametric approaches. Important topics in the course are the use of various types of fixed effects in different models, flexible model specifications and the choice of explanatory variables. The emphasis of the course is on identification, estimation and interpretation rather than a thorough treatment of the asymptotic properties of the estimators. During the course applications of the
different methods are discussed, mainly in the fields of labor economics, health economics, and the economics of education.

The key objective of the course is applying microeconometric techniques rather than deriving econometric and statistical properties of estimators. After the course student should be able to decide about the appropriate model, apply the estimation method correctly, and they should be able to interpret the estimation results.