Real Stats: Using Econometrics for Political Science and Public Policy / Edition 1

by Michael A. Bailey

Overview

Real Stats offers an engaging and practical introduction to statistical analysis for upper-level undergraduates and first-year graduate students in political science, public policy, and law. Grounded in contemporary understandings of causal inferences, the text invites students to see how econometric tools can help answer important and interesting questions. This emphasis on practical applications, combined with a lively and conversational narrative, provides students with a solid foundation in the analytical tools they will use throughout their academic and professional careers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199981946
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/22/2015
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Michael A. Bailey is the Colonel William J. Walsh Professor of American Government in the Department of Government and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Quest for Causality
Chapter 2 Stats in the Wild: Good Data Practices

Part I The OLS Framework
Chapter 3 Bivariate OLS: The Foundation of Statistical Analysis
Chapter 4 Hypothesis Testing and Interval Estimation: Answering Research Questions
Chapter 5 Multivariate OLS: Where the Action Is
Chapter 6 Dummy Variables: Smarter Than You Think
Chapter 7 Transforming Variables, Comparing Variables

Part II The Contemporary Statistical Toolkit
Chapter 8 Using Fixed Effects Models to Fight Endogeneity in Panel Data and Difference-in-Difference Models
Chapter 9 Instrumental Variables: Using Exogenous Variation to Fight Endogeneity
Chapter 10 Experiments: Dealing with Real-World Challenges
Chapter 11 Regression Discontinuity: Looking for Jumps in Data

Part III Limited Dependent Variables
Chapter 12 Dummy Dependent Variables

Part IV Advanced Material
Chapter 13 Time Series: Dealing with Stickiness over Time
Chapter 14 Advanced OLS
Chapter 15 Advanced Panel Data
Chapter 16 Conclusion: How to Be a Statistical Realist

Appendices
Citations and Additional Notes
Guide to Selected Discussion Questions
Bibliography
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

"It's written like a transcript of a conversation of a stats person trying to explain the fundamentals of causal inference to a smart friend who doesn't really know much about statistics. It makes the subject fun. I actually found myself smiling while reading it. I wish I'd had this book in grad school."--Sarah E. Croco, University of Maryland

"Real Stats is a new type of introductory statistics book, one grounded in contemporary understandings of causal inferences, that introduces students to essential statistical concepts in an engaging, accessible, yet serious fashion. This book's policy orientation and ample use of important, relevant examples will motivate students, and its careful and up-to-date explanation of key concepts will provide a firm foundation for both future courses and work in policy and legal environments."--Christopher Way, Cornell University

"The three real advantages of the book are its accessibility, its focus on endogeneity, and its reliance on regression. This is exactly how I think the class should be taught. Real Stats will engage students better than any other book."-David Peterson, Iowa State University

From the Publisher