Methods in Economics
Information from the course leader
A warm welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the course Methods in Economics!
Below, you will find general information about the student account, registration for the course and other practical information.
The student account
You will need your student account to access e.g. your e-mail, Ladok and Canvas. For information regarding how to create your student account, follow this link: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/it-support/support/new-student---start/
Registration for the course
Self-registration for the course is done in Ladok between 2024-08-19 – 2024-09-02. Remember that you must be admitted and registered in Ladok to be able take the course. Having access to Canvas does not mean you are registered in the course and without registration, you are risking losing your place in the course. If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you need to send your credit list to the course leader who will review it and decide if you can register. Do this as soon as possible as reviewing credits may take a few days due to the course start.
Educational support
If you are entitled extra educational support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course so that special arrangements can be made.
For educational support for an exam, see instructions in the exam registration in Ladok Student. You need to register for alternative exam arrangements no later than 10 workings days prior to the examination day. More information here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/.
Discontinuation of a course
If you want to discontinue the course, you should immediately notify the educational administrators at econ-edu@slu.se, who in turn will inform the course leader and register a non-completion of the course in Ladok after your approval. You are also able to register an early non-completion of the course (within three weeks after course start) in Ladok yourself.
Exams
You need to register for exams in Ladok. The registration closes 10 working days prior to the exam. You can find your anonymity code in Ladok Student. It's not possible to register for the exam after the deadline has passed.
On Wednesdays between 12:30-14:30 we have an exam hand out at the department (Ulls hus, 4th floor). Please remember to bring your ID-card.
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Do not hesitate to contact us at econ-edu@slu.se if you have any questions!
Kind regards,
The educational administrators
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
NA0193-10249 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for NA0193
Academic year 2023/2024
Methods in Economics (NA0193-10398)
2023-08-28 - 2023-10-30
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
NA0193 Methods in Economics, 15.0 Credits
Nationalekonomiska metoderSubjects
EconomicsEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Theory and applications | 12.0 | 0001 |
| Project | 3.0 | 0002 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to30 credits economics
10 credits statistics
English 6
Exemption granted from the general entry requirement of Swedish
Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the students to commonly used research methods in economics as well as to philosophy of science and ethics within the discipline. The course deals with fundamental methodological aspects such as the importance of theory for hypothesis formulation and how data quality affects the strength and reliability of the results and researchers' opportunities to make policy recommendations based on the results. Furthermore, the students receive practical training in applying econometric methods and linear programming. They also get an introduction to experiments as a methodological approach in economics.
After completing the course, the student should be able to
- account for the role of theory in formulating problems and in developing research hypotheses
- account for common empirical data sources in the field of agricultural and environmental economics
- critically discuss the limitations of data used for empirical analysis in terms of validity and reliability as well as the results
- perform and evaluate cross-sectional, panel data and time series analysis
- explain and understand the intuition behind the most commonly used econometric methods in order to isolate the causal effects
- perform and evaluate decision problems in economics using linear programming
- account for the basics of experimental economics
- identify strengths and weaknesses in commonly used empirical methods.
Content
Subject content:
The course includes a review of basic scientific and philosophical considerations in economics. Following this, the students are introduced to common data sources within economic analysis and research with a focus on agriculture, food and the environment. Students are then introduced to econometric methods, linear programming and economic experiments. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of common empirical methods in economics are discussed.
Course implementation:
The course uses different teaching methods to promote students' learning and discussions through:
Lectures, exercises, seminars and project work.
The course focuses on the following general competences:
Scientific methods, critical thinking, problem solving
The following components are compulsory:
Exercises and seminars
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed examination.
Approved written assignments.
Approved project work.
Approved participation in compulsory components.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Further information
Litterature list
- Stock, J. H. and Watson, M. W. (2019). “Introduction to Econometrics”, Global Edition. Pearson education limited. ISBN: 9781292264455