Intro to Data Analysis for Economics

14.33: Economics Research and Communication

This tutorial will teach you how to work with data in economics research. Whether you're using Stata, R, or Python, you'll learn the fundamentals of loading data, cleaning it, combining datasets, creating visualizations, and running regressions.

1

Getting Started

Install Stata or R, set up your project folder, and learn the basics of the interface. Includes the one-command project setup script.

2

Data Fundamentals

Load, clean, reshape, and merge datasets. This is where most of your time will be spent, so we cover it thoroughly.

3

Descriptive Analysis

Create summary statistics, visualizations, and publication-ready tables that describe your data.

4

Applied Micro Concepts

Understand causal inference, selection bias, and research design. The conceptual foundation for empirical economics.

5

Regression Methods

OLS, panel data, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, and event studies with practical examples.

6

Advanced Topics

Loops, programming, and working with large datasets efficiently.