Order Description

1. Find a good textbook treatment of instrumental variables and master it. (I like
“Introductory Econometrics…” by Wooldridge but there are several good ones). Pick a research paper on armed conflict that was not covered in the course and that uses instrumental variables. Explain how and why instrumental variables are used. Critique the usage of instrumental variables.
Remember that space is short. Do not attempt a full critique of the whole paper. Just focus on the use of instrumental variables.
2. Find a good textbook treatment of the differences in differences (“diff-in-diff”) technique and master it. (I like “Introductory Econometrics…” by Wooldridge but there are several good ones). Pick a research paper on armed conflict that was not covered in the course and that uses diff-in-diff. Explain how and why diff-in-diff are used. Critique the usage of diff-in-diff.
Remember that space is short. Do not attempt a full critique of the whole paper. Just focus on the use of diff-in-diff.