A concise introduction to econometrics: an intuitive guide

Philip Hans Franses0521520908, 9780521520904, 0521817692, 9780521817691, 9780511042720

This book is an ideal introduction for beginning students of econometrics that assumes only basic familiarity with matrix algebra and calculus. It features practical questions which can be answered using econometric methods and models. Focusing on a limited number of the most basic and widely used methods, the book reviews the basics of econometrics before concluding with a number of recent empirical case studies. The volume is an intuitive illustration of what econometricians do when faced with practical questions.

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Table of contents :
Cover……Page 1
Half-title……Page 3
Title……Page 5
Copyright……Page 6
Contents……Page 7
Figures……Page 9
Tables……Page 10
Preface……Page 11
What is econometrics?……Page 15
Why this book?……Page 21
Outline of the book……Page 25
CHAPTER TWO A few basic tools……Page 27
Distributions……Page 28
The linear regression model……Page 33
Inference……Page 38
Some further considerations……Page 44
To summarize……Page 47
CHAPTER THREE Econometrics, a guided tour……Page 50
Practical questions……Page 51
Problem formulation……Page 53
Data sources……Page 60
Data transformations……Page 66
Data problems……Page 71
Choice of an econometric model……Page 76
Empirical analysis……Page 80
Estimation of parameters……Page 81
Diagnostics……Page 86
Modifications……Page 89
Answering practical questions……Page 91
CHAPTER FOUR Seven case studies……Page 95
Convergence between rich and poor countries……Page 96
Direct mail target selection……Page 100
Automatic trading……Page 103
Forecasting sharp increases in unemployment……Page 107
Modeling brand choice dynamics……Page 111
Two noneconomic illustrations……Page 115
Undecided voters……Page 116
Forecasting weekly temperatures……Page 118
Always take an econometrics course!……Page 122
Econometrics is practice……Page 124
References……Page 125
Index……Page 129