Data Analysis for Economists
About the course
Course outline
Optimisation problemsFormulation of optimisation problems.
OptimisationContinuous vs. discrete optimisation, linear vs. nonlinear problems, multi-criteria problems.
Use casesProblems in transport and logistics, various variants of the TSP.
Process managementScheduling and process control, job scheduling.
Applications in financial analysisFinancial applications, portfolio management.
DEADEA and efficiency evaluation.
Data miningApplications in classification, data analysis, and data mining.
Basic optimisation algorithmsOverview of algorithms for linear, nonlinear and discrete programming.
Heuristic methodsHeuristic and metaheuristic methods for complex optimisation problems.
ModellingModelling languages, solvers, numerical problems, implementation issues.
Computational complexity in optimisationComputational complexity of optimisation problems.
Work in R – specific tasksProgramming and visualisation tools in R for econometric applications. Basic data handling, data structures, import, export and transformation of data. Specific data issues (missing, outlier and contaminated observations).
Linear regressionThe classical linear regression model. Model formulation, cross-sectional and dynamic models, special regressors (e.g. dummy or trend variables). Estimators and their properties – finite sample properties and asymptotic properties. OLS, GLS, MLE, robust estimators. Testing and consequences of heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation. Measuring multicollinearity. Applications in macroeconomic and microeconomic contexts.
Discrete and limited dependent variablesModels with special dependent variables (e.g. linear probability model, censored and truncated regression models, logit, probit and tobit models). ML estimators. Specification issues. Applications in scoring models.
Multiequation models and panel dataGeneral formulation of systems. SUR system. Models for panel data. Simultaneous equation systems. Identification and estimators.
Time seriesUnivariate time series: decomposition methods (seasonality, trends). Box–Jenkins methodology. Stationarity. Applications in portfolio theory. Multivariate time series: generalisation of univariate methods. Vector autoregression. Granger causality. Cointegration and error correction models.
Technical Requirements
Statistical Methods in Data Analysis course.
That’s all. We’ll provide the rest.
Who is this course for?
Teaching methods
- Self-study with clearly structured materials
- Tutorials and individual consultations with the instructor
- Assessed assignment – your own project proposal
- Final online test and in-person workshop
Who will you learn from?
prof. Ing. Jan Čadil, Ph.D.
He actively publishes and conducts research in these areas. He serves on several advisory groups for higher education (e.g., for digitalization, for professional programs), and is also the vice-chairman of chamber B of the Czech Rectors Conference. He has been involved with Unicorn University since its founding in 2007 (then Unicorn College), and has been its rector since 2015