Abstract
This course helps participants improve the quality and publication potential of empirical research by better linking it to theory. Based on concrete examples and practical guidance, participants will acquire the following skills:
- Connect empirical findings to prior theory,
- Introduce a (small) theoretical framework to clarify the empirical mechanism and to sharpen identification,
- Derive new insights from estimated regression coefficients,
- Generate policy implications from empirical work.
Methodology courses typically focus on either theory or on the empirical estimation. This course aims to bridge the gap between the two by exploring several ways in which empirical studies can benefit from using theory. While it is common for theory papers to derive empirical predictions, this course will emphasize an interplay between theory and empirics starting from existing empirical work.
We will show that using theory can often be a low-hurdle approach to improving empirical exercises. Without requiring the collection of new data, theory can help overcome identification challenges, sharpen empirical specifications, derive policy implications, or supplement regressions with additional quantitative exercises.
Using theory can take, for instance, the form of explicitly linking the empirics to prior theoretical work, or adding a theoretical framework (even just a single equation) to the paper.
We will discuss these possibilities in the context of actual research papers. In doing so, we will also pay attention to their evolution. Several of these papers began as purely empirical studies but later added theory to overcome specific challenges and enrich the analysis.
By the end of the course the candidates will be able to:
- Connect empirical findings to prior theory,
- Introduce a (small) theoretical framework to clarify the empirical mechanism and to sharpen identification,
- Derive new insights from estimated regression coefficients,
- Generate policy implications from empirical work.
No separate readings from course material
Assessment
Participation, Group Assignment
Attendance
Attendance (at all course sessions) is mandatory. The course certificate will be issued only to participants who have fulfilled all course requirements, which can include:
- Required attendance at the course sessions.
- Successful completion of the course assessments in accordance with the assessment criteria.
Contact
- Content related questions
Prof. dr. Wolf Wagner
Email address - Enrolment related questions
ERIM Doctoral Office
Email address