Credit

2.00   (L-T-P:   1-0-2)

Department / Center / School / Unit

Economics

Course Objectives

This course will introduce students to methods of quantitative economic research using primary and secondary data source. The purpose is to provide training for Ph.D. scholars in the department

Course Contents

The course will cover theory and practice of doing applied research in economics, with special emphasis on primary and secondary data uses. The course will familiarize students with sampling techniques, questionnaire design, implementation of field-based studies, including randomized controlled trials. Students will be provided training in STATA for carrying out data analysis, including use of data sets such as the National Sample Survey, National Family Health Survey, Indian Human Development Survey. Students will be expected to design and implement a small study during the course of the semester and will be evaluated on this.

Suggested References

David, Matthew and Carole D. Sutton, 2004, Social Research: The Basics, London: Sage
Dreze, Jean, Research and Action, Economic and Political Weekly.
Duflo, Esther (2006), Field Experiments in Development Economics.
Duflo, Esther, Glennerster, Rachel and Kremer, Michale (2006), Using Randomization in Development Economics Research: A Toolkit.
Deaton, Angus (1997), Analysis of household Surveys (Washington DC: World Bank).
Deaton, Angus (2008), Instruments, randomization, and learning about development, Journal of Economic Literature, Vol 48.
Lanjouw and Stern, Nicholas, Economic Development in Palanpur over Five decades (New Delhi: OUP).
Payne, Geoff and Judy Payne, 2004, Key Concepts in Social Research, London: Sage
Sample of Additional Reading Materials (will be chosen based on specific issues and case studies):
Khera, Reetika (2011), Revival of the Public Distribution System: Evidence and Explanations, Economic and Political Weekly.