Quantitative Research Methods
Course code
QUANT301, QUANT303
Course type
BSc Course
Weekly Hours
4,0
ECTS
6.0
Term
FS 2023
Language
Englisch
Lecturers
Prof. Dr. Michael Massmann
Please note that exchange students obtain a higher number of credits in the BSc-program at WHU than listed here. For further information please contact directly the International Relations Office.
Course content
The purpose of this course is to introduce state-of-the art econometric techniques and apply them to real world data sets. The methods covered in this course include an in-depth analysis of the workhorse in data science, viz. the linear regression model and least-squares estimation, as well as of statistical and causal inference in this setting. Subsequently, advanced techniques such as nonlinear regression models are discussed and an introduction to panel data and stationary time series analysis is given so as to cater for complex data structures frequently encountered in applied work. The empirical analyses are implemented in RStudio, the most popular data science software environment in academia and finance, and in RMarkdown, the prime language for producing replicable research.
Class dates
Date | Time |
---|---|
Monday, 09.01.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 16.01.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Friday, 20.01.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 23.01.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 30.01.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Friday, 03.02.2023 | 13:45 - 17:00 |
Monday, 06.02.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Friday, 10.02.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 13.02.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 06.03.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 13.03.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Monday, 20.03.2023 | 11:30 - 15:15 |
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be familiar with modern econometric methods and will be able to apply them to real world data sets using state-of-the-art software. Students will have acquired a sound theoretical mindset for data analysis as well as causal inference. They will have developed programming skills for conducting replicable empirical work. This proficiency will prove indispensable for their Bachelor's thesis, for a Master's degree or for data science projects in industry.
Literature
Stock and Watson (2015): Introductory Econometrics. This is the best textbook around, ideally suited for students in business and economics, and used all around the world. The authors are world-class econometricians based at Harvard and Princeton, respectively.
Learningmethods
The course takes the form of interactive lectures with exercises: on the one hand, theoretical material is discussed in class and illustrated by means of empirical examples in live demonstrations in RStudio; on the other hand, participants are given theoretical and coding exercises to practice the use of newly-learned concepts.
Exam
Written examination (80%) and assignments (20%).
Requirements
Familiarity with the topics covered in Statistics I and II is assumed.
Total workload
180 hrs