Customer Reviews

Using Econometrics: A Practical Guide (4th Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This text probably is not necessary for those with a heavy background in mathmatical econometrics.... but is an overwhelmingly useful tool for students are new to the field of econometric analysis be it used in economics, political statistics, sociology, or other fields. It can provide simple answers to the (normal) kinds of simple questions that pop up.... and basic explanations for terminology, etc. It explains additions to typical OLS regression clearly and aptly.

I would recommend this text as a must-buy for anyone NOT looking for hard-core theoretical math but only for something useful....

Using Econometrics: A Practical Guide, is an excellent text for an introductory course in econometrics. I commend the the author for using a logical and systematic manner regarding the structure of the book. The beginning chapters emphasize regression analysis and hypothesis testing. The middle chapters relax each of the classical assumptions regarding OLS analysis, therefore confronting nonlinear functional form, autocorrelation, multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity, and so on. Finally, the last chapters of the book encompass further topics in econometric analysis, such as forecasting, simultaneous equations, dependent binary variables, etc.

I recommend this book to those who understand university-level algebra and statistical concepts such as probability theory, hypothesis testing, central limit theorem, etc. However, calculus based probability theory is not at all a prerequisite for this text.

That book goes straight to the point. First, the title of the book is 100% appropriate. It is about how to use econometrical tools in practice. Second, exercises are E-views oriented, which is also a good point given the user-friendly E-views interface. This book is a very good introductory book for applied econometrics. I've read some reviews criticizing the book for its novice approach and lack of theoretical ground. Well, I would have done so too IF AN ONLY IF the book title had been "Advanced Theory in Econometrics". But it is not!

In 2000, I wrote a review of this text. I still stand by my assertion that this is an excellent introduction to econometrics. One thing that I failed to mention in my 2000 review is that this book is good for people who have never seen econometrics in their life. Furthermore, don't expect to see proofs, theorems, etc. This book does not emphasize mathematics.

For a good introductory book that does incorporate calculus, some proofs, etc., get Gujarati's "Basic Econometrics" (not to be confused with Gujarati's "Essentials of Econometrics"). If you're only going to have one introductory book, and you want a mathematical treatment, get Gujarati. If you want an introductory book without a mathematical treatment, get Studenmund.

First of all I will admit, this is the only book I have read for econometrics. It was the book chosen by my professor for my eonometrics class while doing my undergraduate in economics. Having said that I recommend the book. I feel that it is a very good intro to a subject that can get weighted down in technical difficulties for the beginning student. Some people have complained about its lack of rigor or lack of proofs but I feel that is unjustified because all it really does is utilize statistical principles for economics. At my university, and I would assume most, stats was a prereq for this course and in stats you should cover the real nuts and bolts of statistical theory. This would give you your proofs and underlying understanding of the hands on approach this book gives for econometrics. I think that this book is good in that it does give, as it says, a practical guide to econometrics enabling the student to move on to the more analytically rigorous studies of the field. It doesn't overwhelm but leaves you with a foundational sense of understanding.

Perhaps A.H. Studenmund wrote his book for economics students, but as a biomedical scientist, Using Econometrics is my go-to reference for applied regression analysis, period. I know of no other book on the subject that is more understandable, succinct and eaisly applied to real-world problems.

I enjoyed the book. I've had just a couple of graduate level stats/forecasting classes and probably know just enough to be dangerous. This book was very straightforward and introduced me to a few regression topics that grad school missed and was a good refresher for things I'd learned but long-forgotten. If you're looking to improve your understanding of regression analysis and how its used but don't want to get into a Ph.D. level of explanation, I recommend this book.

Although written for the practioner, I would not recommend this book because it is not technically sound. I certainly would not recommend this book for serious students, as they will learn only techniques without knowing the foundations. Sometimes a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

This is to econometrics what Lego is to housebuilding. Harsh, perhaps, but this book should be read as a primer before stepping in to the heavy stuff.