Course overview
This course will show how 'big data' can be used to understand and solve some of the most important social and economic problems of our time. It introduces students to important economic concepts and frontier research in applied economics and social science related to policy making. Topics typically include equality of opportunity, discrimination, education, health care, and climate change besides others. The course also provides an introduction to data visualisation, data management, and basic statistical methods and data analysis techniques relevant for big data approaches in economics, which may include regression analysis, causal inference, and quasi-experimental methods.
- Using Big Data
- Field Data
- New Approaches
Course learning outcomes
- Explain how economists use large data sets to address major economic and social challenges in Australia and overseas
- Explain the relevance of causality for economic analysis and policy
- Describe key methods economists use to address causality in empirical analysis
- Demonstrate an understanding of the outcomes and implications of relevant statistical techniques.
- Utilize appropriate software to analyse, visualise, and communicate economic and social data.