Student Project Instructions
Course: Introductory Econometrics
Lecturer: Dmytro Vikhrov
The aim of the project is to challenge students to analyze a dataset using tools obtained
in class. To complete the project a student should follow the steps below:
1. Think of a research question. These can be considered valid research questions:
What are the determinants of wages (company profits, smoking, drug usage, performance
in school etc)? How big is the gender wage gap? What is the effect of
company ownership on profits (training program on employee performance, increase
of police force on crime reduction etc)?
2. Choose a dataset that allows you to address your research question. The data
should normally come from GRETL sample files (File → Open data → Sample
file), however you can choose any other data file not listed in GRETL.
3. Provide basic descriptive statistics to characterize your dataset and introduce your
research question.
4. Suggest a basic linear regression and explain what signs of coefficients you expect
to get.
5. Obtain estimates and interpret them.
6. Test several hypotheses and test them.
7. Estimate non-linear effects using dummy variables or squared terms.
The project is student’s own independent work. Each student has to prepare a short
presentation for maximum 12 minutes plus 3 minutes Q&A. It is not required to
submit any files, presentation is all that counts toward your grade. The presentation
date is December 9. Please, register your dataset and choose a time slot here. Before
you register make sure that the dataset of your choice has not yet been taken by
somebody else.