Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting, NUI Maynooth

Staff

Professor Donal O'Neill

Courses

 

 
EC306 ECONOMETRICS 2

24 lecture hours

5 ECTS credits

The aim of this course is to provide students with the tools needed to undertake empirical research in economics. In order to distinguish between competing models and provide useful policy advice we often need to quantify the relationships involved in economic models. In this course we will learn how to use the data we observe to improve our understanding of economic behaviour.

 

EC820M ECONOMICS OF INEQUALITY

24 Lecture Hours

5 ECTS Credits

This is a PhD level course which provides students with the tools necessary to measure inequality and to understand recent trends in inequality. Students will discuss alternative approaches for measuring inequality, including statistics based approaches, social welfare based measures and axiomaticx based measures. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach will be analysed and called upon when considering if one particular measure of inequality can be deemed most appropriate for a given research question. Econonomic explanations for recent trends in inequality will be examined, including the role of technological change, international trade and institutions. The persistence of inequality both within and across generations will be analysed from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. The final part of the course considers inequality between countries rather than individuals. Throughout thecourse students will particiapte in computer labs in which they will learn how to programme in Stata with an emphasis on analysing inequality.

 
Reading List
1. Introduction to and Measurement of Inequality
2. Explaining Trends in Inequality
3a. Intergenerational Mobility: Theory
3b. Intergenerational Mobility: Econometric Issues`

4. GMM and Covariance Structure of Earnings

5. Growth and Distribution

Stata Programmes for Estimation of Covariance Structure (Doris, O'Neill and Sweetman)

Stata Programmes for class assignments

Cross-Country Data

Assignment 1: Paper Assignment for Referee's report

Assignment 2: Stata Programme to sumamrise inequality

Assignment 3: Research Proposal

 

EC399: Economic Thesis

Click here for a list of sample theses titles for students considering working with me.