Econometrics 461: Economic Data Analysis
Suggested Outline for Term Project
Spring 2016
As noted in the course syllabus, the research paper is one of the major requirements of this writingintensive course. The assignment is to formulate an interesting economic question, develop a research
plan for bringing data to bear on this economic question, obtain and manage the dataset, and use
econometric methods in conjunction with this data, informed by economic theory, to analyze and
hopefully answer the original economic question. A key requirement for the paper is that it must
include one or more formal statistical hypotheses and statistical tests of those hypotheses.
1. Introduction
a. Overview of the question to be addressed including the economic relevance of the
question.
b. Discuss the economic theory behind the question and expected results based on theory.
2. Literature Review
a. Discussion of published analysis on the topic, their key findings and how/why your
approach or sample may be different.
3. Methodology/Data
a. Describe data sources and statistical methods to be employed. This should include a
clear description of how your statistical method links to the question posed in the
introduction.
b. Include summary statistics (sample means, standard errors, sample size, correlation
statistics) of your data.
4. Findings/Observations
a. This section presents the results of your statistical analysis.
b. Present/summarize your formal statistical test(s) and the conclusion(s) that follow.
c. Include a discussion of how your results are in line with, or deviate from, what would be
suggested by economic theory.
d. Discussion of any limitations to your analysis that might affect your results.
5. Conclusion
a. Summary of your findings.
b. Include a discussion of any potential deficiencies in your analysis and/or available data.
Important Dates
 February 25/26: proposal due (minimum 500 words). This is effectively your introduction
section. You should know at this time if the data necessary for your project is available.
 March 31/April 1: initial version of the paper due (1000 words). This should cover the first three
sections noted above and should demonstrate that you have collected the data necessary for your
project and present summary statistics for that data.
 April 28/29: final version of the paper due (2000 words)
 All submissions must be typed hard-copies – NO ELECTRONIC/EMAIL submissions.