The course offers an introduction to data bases and methods of empirical economic research. Students are familiarized with the most important Austrian and international data bases and key indicators that are used for economic analyses. The course provides basic tools to find, process, visually present and interpret data and key figures. The course also offers insights into registry data research and discusses trends in empirical economic research. It complements with an overview of the most important quantitative and qualitative research methods in empirical economic research.

•  Economic data types and economic indicators
•  Ad-hoc visualising, accessing and using economic data
•  Describing, analysing and visualising (processed) economic data
•  Quantitative data collection methods
•  Qualitative data collection methods
•  Trends in empirical economics research: reproducability and replicability
•  Empirical economics research with administrative data

After completing the course, students will be able to find relevant economic data sets and key figures themselves, interpret them and know how to use basic data processing and data visualization tools. Students will be familar with the most important data types and data collection methods. They will have acquired an overview of trends in empirical economic research, registry data research, as well as key quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Compulsory attendance. Lecturers must always be notified in case of absence. Excused absence is permitted up to 20% of total hours.

Lectures and in-class exercises, independent preparation and follow-up of teaching material at home.

The final exam will be closed book: no materials (electronic devices, notes, books, etc.) are allowed. Exercises will be checked with Turnitin (AI proof plagiarism detector). Late submissions receive a penalty. All three subcomponents (final, exercises, in-class) must be attempted to receive an overall course grade.

Final exam (40%), exercises (40%), in-class participation (20%).

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heider.kariem@wu.ac.at; isabel.pham@wu.ac.at