ECO 4810. Seminar in Economics

Syllabus | Calendar

Monday, Wednesday 10:00-11: 15, Raley Hall 3013

Instructor: John Whitehead
 Last Update: 01/07/2010

Data Analysis

The data analysis is worth 10% of your grade. It requires a univariate analysis and multivariate analysis of the data. The univariate analysis is a table of means, standard deviations, minimums and maximums of your dependent and independent variables. The multivariate analysis is a table of regression models that tests your hypotheses. The preliminary empirical results in tabular form (without writing) are worth 50 points.

A variety of statistical software packages can be used for your analysis. The computer labs on campus are loaded with Excel, SPSS and perhaps some others. SPSS is an excellent and user friendly stats package.

The following tutorials may be helpful references:

When you write up results for the final paper:

  1. The data analysis section should be between 1 and 2 pages and include the following sections:
    a. Data - describe the source of your data, how you manipulated it and present your univariate analysis
    b. Analysis - present your multivariate analysis
  2. Provide at least two tables of results: means and standard deviations and multivariate regression results. Each table should be typed using word processing software and on a separate page attached to the back of the paper.
  3. Paper format: following earlier guidelines. 

Common comments on data analysis sections:

  1. Organize your results into numbered tables with one table on one page.
  2. Describe the economics behind the regression results.
  3. Refer to the Table numbers in text the first time that you mention it: "... the effect of X on Y is positive (Table 2)."