Methods for Estimation and Inference in Modern Econometrics

This book covers important topics in econometrics. It discusses methods for efficient estimation in models defined by unconditional and conditional moment restrictions, inference in misspecified models, generalized empirical likelihood estimators, and alternative asymptotic approximations. The first chapter provides a general overview of established nonparametric and parametric approaches to estimation and conventional frameworks for statistical inference. The next several chapters focus on the estimation of models based on moment restrictions implied by economic theory. The final chapters cover nonconventional asymptotic tools that lead to improved finite-sample inference.

Methods for Estimation and Inference in Modern Econometrics provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide range of emerging topics, such as generalized empirical likelihood estimation and alternative asymptotics under drifting parameterizations, which have not been discussed in detail outside of highly technical research papers. The book also addresses several problems often arising in the analysis of economic data, including weak identification, model misspecification, and possible nonstationarity. The book’s appendix provides a review of some basic concepts and results from linear algebra, probability theory, and statistics that are used throughout the book.

Topics covered include:

• Well-established nonparametric and parametric approaches to estimation and conventional (asymptotic and bootstrap) frameworks for statistical inference



• Estimation of models based on moment restrictions implied by economic theory, including various method-of-moments estimators for unconditional and conditional moment restriction models, and asymptotic theory for correctly specified and misspecified models



• Non-conventional asymptotic tools that lead to improved finite sample inference, such as higher-order asymptotic analysis that allows for more accurate approximations via various asymptotic expansions, and asymptotic approximations based on drifting parameter sequences

Offering a unified approach to studying econometric problems, Methods for Estimation and Inference in Modern Econometrics links most of the existing estimation and inference methods in a general framework to help readers synthesize all aspects of modern econometric theory. Various theoretical exercises and suggested solutions are included to facilitate understanding.